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If you're a US citizen arriving at JFK's Terminal 4 (the large international terminal), be advised that the passport scanning kiosks have been removed. Installed in 2013, the machines allowed you to scan your passport, answer some questions, and then hand a receipt printed by the machine to a CBP officer before proceeding on to baggage claim. When I asked a CPB guard what had happened to the kiosks, he said the agency is in the process of acquiring new technology. In the meantime, be papered to queue up for an individual check by a CPB officer at one of the old booths. Global Entry holders will be glad to know that a dozen or so machines remain for their use. I don't know if this affects other JFK terminals or other US international airports.

Today's Bangkok Post has a follow-up piece on the young man arrested in this case. It provides some personal details that help explain why many view him as a hero of sorts. Jeh Issamaeh Hama (right) and some of the goods he stole from the Banana IT store in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok. He was arrested by a team led by Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee (centre) on July 6, 2022. (Royal Thai Police photo) Police recently arrested a serial phone thief who targeted branches of the Banana IT store chain in many provinces. CCTV footage caused interest in the felon to surge as in each case it showed a man wearing nothing but underpants committing the crime. He was soon dubbed "Robin Hood in underpants" after it was revealed that he had given many of the phones to homeless people. It was one of the strangest cases that his team has ever experienced, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee, investigation chief for Provincial Police Region 2, who led the unit tasked with tracking down the underdressed thief. The pant-clad anti-hero was identified as Jeh Issamaeh Hama, 23, also known as Khamas. He was arrested on July 4. It all began after the cyber police were alerted to an incident at a Banana IT shop in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok on July 3. At around 3am, Khamas allegedly broke into the shop and made off with 128 items -- mostly mobile phones -- worth 1.91 million baht. The thief also disconnected CCTV cameras and escaped by a prearranged route in an effort to make police think he was a local, said Pol Maj Gen Theeradet. But when they reviewed CCTV footage, they found that the man had scouted the area before committing the crime. Crime records for the area showed there had been a number of similar thefts during the past 8-9 years. After combining their own work with analysis from the Police Cyber Taskforce, the investigation team were able to learn that the thief was a native of Narathiwat province who had first been arrested for stealing when he was just 14. Subsequently, police learned the man was wanted on three warrants issued last year by Yala Provincial Court on Feb 4, Songkhla Juvenile and Family Court on May 27 and Phatthalung Provincial Court on April 23. An additional one was issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court on Jan 20 this year. He had committed several crimes including stealing, damage to property and trespassing. The suspect was accused of stealing from a Banana IT shop in the southern border province of Yala on Jan 27, 2021, and from another of the chain's outlets in Sai Mai district in Bangkok on Jan 9 this year. He allegedly told police he stole only from Banana IT shops because he liked bananas and the colour yellow. He said he wore only underpants because dressing that way made him feel like "himself". The suspect was also quoted as telling police that he disconnected and stole CCTV cameras along with the phones because media outlets used to call him "a pervert thief in underpants" which he did not like so he had wanted to remove any record of him just wearing underpants. The man also told police that he stole mobile phones because he did not have one during his childhood, unlike his friends. During questioning, Khamas said he had given phones and money to homeless people at Hua Lamphong railway station and Sanam Luang in Bangkok, and also to people in his home province of Narathiwat, as he too had been homeless once. The suspect also allegedly stole from Banana IT outlets in Songkhla, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces in the South, and in Nong Bua Lam Phu and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in the Northeast. It all began after the cyber police were alerted to an incident at a Banana IT shop in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok on July 3. At around 3am, Khamas allegedly broke into the shop and made off with 128 items -- mostly mobile phones -- worth 1.91 million baht.

From Bangkok Post A New York City neighbourhood long known informally as “Little Thailand” may soon get official name recognition under a bill passed by the city council. The official designation for a stretch of Woodside Avenue, between 76th and 79th streets in the Elmhurst neighbourhood in the borough of Queens, was one of a number of renaming proposals adopted by the council this week. The area is well known throughout the city for a large number of Thai restaurants and other businesses. Other proposals approved by the council included the renaming of Macdonald and Church in Brooklyn as Little Bangladesh, and Brighton Beach Avenue and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn as Ukrainian Way, the local news site Pix11 reported. In all, the bill covered 78 thoroughfares and public places throughout the city. It will be sent to Mayor Eric Adams for final approval. Shekar Krishnan, a council member who sponsored the bill, represents the part of Queens that would be renamed Little Thailand. “The small businesses that are there and the events that are held there, really reflect the beauty and the energy of our Thai community not just of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, but across Queens and throughout our city,” he said. “Little Thailand Way is a very fitting name for this street.”

When Moonlight first opened, it was the talk of the town (well, our little town, anyway). It was new, bold and had quickly became a must stop for all. But for me it lust a bit of the luster over the years. Nevertheless, I certainly would prefer that it survives in the same way I hope newcomer New Twilight manages to sustain itself because the Bangkok scene very much needs variety. The problem Twilight has at the moment appears to be indecision: does it want to be another Jupiter or Moonlight or does it wish its own, unique identity which so far doesn't seem to be catching on all that well. Personally, I'd hope it adopts the Lucky Boys approach. It has the stage and lighting to put on the same type of floor show entertainment along with the ever-popular rotation of 30-40 guys representing a cross section of ASEAN. I really miss that place.

The "Brink of War" thread seemed to dominate the site for quite a few months but has gradually faded along with some of the contributors. The board's content previously contained much news and views of Pattaya and somewhat less of Bangkok.

The two structures in upper left of photo appear to be situated where "Balls Sports Bar" (i think it had a few different names over tome) was located. If I recall, the Swiss (Lucas) who managed Tanrtawan Hotel and also ran Dick's Cafe and Balls.

I recall that the Next2 Cafe at Shangri-La Hotel as having one of the finest Sunday brunches in the city with ample seafood offerings. Beautiful setting on the river. Even the weekday breakfast buffet is a stand out. When I waked by the hotel three weeks ago on my way to Jack's bar on waterfront, I noticed that many rooms had lights on. Business seemed brisk with a steady flow of taxis coming n and out of driveway.

The escalators were working on the day I visited last week. However, the rubber hand rails of one had been badly damaged by fire but the stairs moved along ok. Hero had moved into all new--and quite lux--quarters about 3-4 years ago. Have no idea what became of it, but the one message I had there was terrific on all counts.

From The Thaiger Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy. The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses. Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy. The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses. The Department of Employment director-general, Pairoj Chotikasathien, backed his colleague, saying more foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar are returning to work in Thailand now Covid restrictions have been lifted. Continuing civil strife in Myanmar, as well as virus outbreaks, have not helped the labour shortage situation in Thailand but Pairoj expects about 100,000 to come from Myanmar by the end of this year. Chamber of Commerce vice chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, made known the demand for workers is surging now almost all coronavirus-related travel and business restrictions to accelerate economic recovery have been lifted by the government. “Labour is considered a key machine in propelling Thailand’s entire economy from the export-orientated industries, manufacturing, processing and construction to tourism and service-related sectors. “This is regarded as a serious problem as Thailand desperately needs foreign workers to help rehabilitate the economy battered by the Covid-19 outbreaks. We now have a lot of key infrastructure projects in the construction pipeline and we also have many tourism and service-related jobs that need to be filled after the government announced it would fully reopen the country to international tourists.”

From The Nation The town of Luang Prabang, which is renowned for Unesco’s listing of its old quarter as a world heritage site, has seen 90 per cent of room reservations made by Thai visitors since Laos lifted all entry restrictions in May. resident of the Luang Prabang Hotel and Guesthouse Association,Toun Sisouphanthavong, said hotels and guesthouses have been almost fully booked due to the large number of Thai visitors coming to Luang Prabang since the government lifted travel restrictions after the Covid-19 outbreak subsided. However, fewer people are arriving from Europe, the Republic of Korea, China and other countries because travel is still difficult and people are dealing with an economic downturn. This week, the city is hosting a boat festival to celebrate the start of Buddhist Lent, in a bid to attract both Lao and foreign visitors. Since the Laos-China Railway became operational, more people from Thailand and other countries have come to Laos to experience a new mode of travel through the country. There are also more flights coming into Laos, easing air travel and bringing in more tourists. However, Toun urged Laos-China Railway authorities to set up an online booking system, as this would make it much easier for people to plan their travels in Laos. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40017721

Yes, Arena was open. Other than the two massage shops I mentioned, that mall seems pretty much deserted.

I'm back home now went to the Happy Beer Garden five times (with three different guys) during my stay. Really like the place and the staff remembers what I ordered on previous visits, and that I like small noodles and not big. 🙂 I prefer to sit facing inward so I'm not constantly reminded of the demise of Twilight across the road. On one visit. I guy seated with a farang at nearby table waved at me but I couldn't place him. On the way out, he stopped by my table and (up close) recalled that he had worked at massage shop that I had used numerous times 4-5 years ago. Time has been very good to him. I'm always impressed how these young men never seem to forget a face, and I was kind of touched that he went out of his way to talk with me even though it was brief. Many thanks for your very entertaining reports. Just like the old days!

A week ago I went to Superrich to change currency and took a walk through the mall where Arena (third level) is located. On the first level there's a shop called Best Massage which has been there for years. There were a few twinks sitting outside.

From the point of view of an aviation buff, the incident provides the grist for much discussion. It appears to me the it was an outward rupture of the side of landing gear housing. Here’s a link to Aviation Herald aericle: https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb1cbea&opt=0

From Bangkok Post A commercial district in the heart of the city, Siam Square is known as a trendy spot for people across generations. An entire shopping district where youngsters find the latest fashion, it's also an ideal meeting spot where plenty of restaurants and malls are located. It is also a limitless learning resource with many educational hubs and institutions. In the midst of rapidly changing trends, lifestyles, society and economy, the old commercial district has recently been rebranded as Siam Square Walking Street. Located on Siam Square Soi 7, Siam Square Walking Street recently opened after the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) continues its mixed-use projects. The area has been renovated over the past couple of years in order to develop urban communities with facilities that ensure a better quality of life. “Although the main street area has remained the same concept as a mixed-use area, we have changed and developed it to be more beneficial for people who shop on foot, whether it's the part of the main street where we now prevent cars from passing or the burying of power and electrical cables underground to create beautiful scenery and ensure safety. There is also a wide walkway and it is easier to stroll around the area," said Assoc Prof Dr Wisanu Subsompon, vice-president for Property and Physical Management, Chulalongkorn University, during a recent group interview about the development of Chula Smart City. The charm of Siam Square is unique in terms of diversity, and in terms of brands, there are shops that meet the needs of all customers, proving that Siam Square is a space for everyone. There's also an event space that has a variety to support all target groups as well as a large new area to accommodate growing demand," he explained. “Another latest project by the PMCU is Siamscape, a mixed-use building in Siam Square. With the concept of "Lifelong Learning", Siamscape has an outstanding design and unique architecture through the Façade Gate, the entrance that represents a door that will lead to a world of endless learning. There are highlights on the 9th floor with L.A.M.P (Learning & Meeting Place) and the "Urban Park" concept, as well as an outdoor area on the 10th floor, SkyScape, which offers panoramic views, the first in the area.

Ten minutes could be considered LT for public encounters 😀

In BKK, I think there’s only one thing that speeds up permits and permissions. It’s lack of same that delays them.

From Bangkok Post The Ministry of Public Health has revoked its previous declaration of seven countries as Covid-19 danger zones, citing an improvement in the pandemic situation and the global vaccination coverage against coronavirus. The decision to remove Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia from the list of dangerous epidemic areas was reached at a meeting of the national committee on disease control held on Friday.

I’d still choose Amara. Have used (and been satisfied with) Crowne Plaza but Amara is newer and I like the vibe. Walking time from Patpong about same. Amara’s key clientele was middle class Chinese travelers. When China opens up more, these bargain prices may well go south. I’d jump on them while they last. They recently started a membership program that offers 10% discount.

Have stayed there many times in past and highly recommend it. Rooms are not particularly large but very well appointed. Bed is super comfortable. It’s about a seven minute walk to Patpong. No problem at all with guests. Great roof top infinity pool.

Typically it means guy gives you a hand job. But others may interpret this differently.

Effective immediately, the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai is temporarily suspending all consular services until further notice due to staffing shortages. Although we hope to resume consular services soon, consular services in Thailand are currently only available at the U. S. Embassy in Bangkok.

Reminds me of the guy who’s posted numerous public encounters with Grab drivers on one of the bigger porn sites.

Walking on Rama 4 yesterday and came across an open door to a construction site. As near as I can figure, this was once the rear entrance to Soi Twilight that hosted its last show three years ago.