reader

+1 Amara also offers ample western cable channels and compact gym

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon On a recent radio interview with Pattaya’s 103 station, British ambassador Mark Gooding pinpointed the lack of medical insurance by Brits as his biggest takeaway from his tour of the city. The point has been hammered home for 20 years by the UK government, yet above half of all international visitors (not just Brits) are uninsured according to surveys. It’s human nature, of course, to think “the worse won’t happen to me” but there are many reasons for the reality that Brits alone ran up unpaid hospital bills of 300 million baht (8 million pounds) annually prior to the pandemic. That’s according to a report in The Nation newspaper which referenced only state hospitals and omitted the private sector which rarely offers treatment anyway without a copper-bottom guarantee. The first problem is definitional. Mr Gooding advised all visitors to Thailand to buy “travel insurance”, though he is obviously aware that expats or non-tourists likely won’t be covered if they are not based in the home country of departure. Medical Billing Advocates, an international watchdog leader, state that one in seven of all medical insurance claims are denied or rejected. They point out that the confusion between travel insurance, covering some but not all holiday mishaps, and comprehensive medical cover is a common cause of misunderstanding. Several recent cases of sick Brits appealing for crowd-funded donations to get them back to the UK for an emergency operation have been tourists who had not read the small print in policy documentation. Thai authorities during the pandemic made matters murky by insisting all visitors had medical insurance – it started at US$50,000 but ended up at US$10,000 prior to cancellation – but then stating it could be restricted to Covid only illness. In the ensuing confusion, some international visitors failed to appreciate that a traffic accident was not Covid-related, whilst several companies went bust because of the pressure of coronavirus claims. Whilst there were undoubtedly some good policies out there, the cheapest ones claiming a month’s cover for a few pounds were worthless and designed only to survive the nod-and-a-wink Thailand Pass entry bureaucracy. There were even policies claiming to be comprehensive, but in reality only offering cremation benefit, and even then requiring documentary evidence of being Covid-free on initially entering the country. Then we come to the expats. Many on one year extensions of stay, retirement or marriage, turn to agents for help because they lack cash in the bank or income to cover 800,000 or 400,000 baht respectively. The cash-strapped are unlikely to have the funds for comprehensive hospitalization and will simply hope for the best. It is known that a main reason for self-repatriation is fear of falling seriously ill in Thailand. But the only visas currently requiring medical insurance are one type of retirement visa and extension of stay (O/A) and the yet-to-start 10 year LTR or Long Term Resident Visa. There many alternative options without any insurance requirement at all, including the O retirement option and the Elite visa. The latter is seen by many observers as the safest bet because it guarantees multiple-entry for between five and 20 years. Finally, there are the elderly and the super-aged. Insurance companies prefer customers who won’t make a claim so issues like gerontocracy, pre-existing conditions and high cholesterol in a medical report are distancing strategies like no other. So these expats must either sit tight and hope the grim reaper strikes quickly, or pay through the nose, or self-insure. Interestingly, the Thai Cabinet has now authorized self-insurance as a concept, though how it will be implemented by Thai immigration offices, if at all, is not yet crystal clear. Expat residence in Thailand is never much different. Whilst it is platitudinous to go on repeating “get insurance”, it is equally important to recall the legal concept Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware! re

From Coconuts Bangkok Reenter the cave again and again with two more rescue saga adaptations A promotional still for ‘Thai Cave Rescue’. Photo: Netflix The Ron Howard-directed Thirteen Lives premieres today – but not in Thailand – two days after Netflix pinned a September release date on Thai Cave Rescue, a six-episode limited series about the 2018 ordeal to free the boys and their coach from a flooded cave in northernmost Thailand. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya (Bad Genius, One For the Road), the Netflix dramatization will portray the incident with more emotional heft, focusing on the points of view of the 12 boys and their coach, as well as the volunteers. When it was first announced in 2019, Crazy Rich Asians director John M. Chu’s name was attached to it. Billed as “the most authentic and expansive retelling yet,” it was filmed in Thailand and is the only project officially sanctioned by the government agency established to control access to those involved. Scenes were shot at the boys’ homes as well as the cave site. It will feature a mostly Thai cast led by Papangkorn “Beam” Lerkchaleampote as football coach Eak, and Thaneth “Ek” Warakulnukroh as Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn. It stars Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund and Manatsanun “Donut” Phanlerdwongsakul as Kelly and Pim, who represent real-world hydraulic engineers and park rangers. That it won government support suggests that audiences should expect a noncritical examination of events, given the complaints from Narongsak and other officials over the depiction in the first cinematic treatment of the crisis, 2019’s The Cave. Thirteen Lives, on the other hand, was filmed in Australia, and therefore avoided any creative conflict with the government-created 13 Tham Luang Co. Ltd. The film’s star-studded cast includes Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, and Tom Bateman. Mortensen, Farrell, and Edgerton play cave divers Richard Stanton, John Volanthen, and Richard Harris, respectively. Thirteen Lives will be released Aug. 5 on Amazon Prime, the same day as The Cave is released after a three-year pandemic delay in North America by Lionsgate as Cave Rescue. Thai Cave Rescue premieres Sept. 22 on Netflix. In late June, the boys visited Tham Luang to make alms and pay respects to their rescuers on the fourth-anniversary of their world-gripping ordeal.

Min has discussed Vietnam in some of his recent trip reports.

Thanks, Olddaddy, for your brutal honesty. The issue of aging and loneliness is something I believe all gay men have to come to terms with at some point. It seems to be happening now for you. Some on the forum have found a life partner and that affects their decision to retire to Thailand. Others find that they're simply happier in Thailand than they are in their home country. But for most of us, Thailand remains a frequent destination but not our home base. It has crossed my mind to retire to bkk but I wouldn't consider it unless I could first master the language. Learning any new language is more difficult with age but still possible if you're adequately motivated. I'm not and I can't envision a life in Thailand without being able to communicate in Thai. If you're seeking boyfriend material, maybe just start looking for friends first. Friendships can have a way of turning into more meaningful relationships over time. But if you begin by limiting your field of candidates to sexual contacts, you may find that the relationships never grow beyond that point. In any case, you're still a relatively young old man. You have a right to a happy future and I wish you well on your journey.

From Richardbarrow.com The Luang Phor Pan Festival at Wat Mongkol Kothawas in Klong Dan, Samut Prakan Province, will this year take place from 28th October to 3rd November 2022. The big parade on land and sea is on 28th October at 6:09am. This is one of my favourite festivals in Thailand. More information is available at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) website: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/40th-thailand-tourism-festival-2022-from-18-22-february-in-bangkok/

Yes. Coming to appreciate and embrace the difference between pleasure and joy has been critical for me. Keep in mind that that if you're at all considering naming a foreign national in your will, the post-death transfer process is more complicated than if you both resided in the same country (at least that's the case in the US and I suspect other countries have their own laws regarding this). The laws of the country where the beneficiary lives also come into play. I've found that not all lawyers are familiar with them and prepared to properly advise you. Finding a lawyer who is could be your first step.

From Bangkok Post The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are being told to prepare for a surge of up to 19 million air passengers in the last quarter of this year, Thailand's high tourist season. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, in his capacity as chairman of the Civil Aviation Commission (CAC), said the two agencies have been instructed to prepare for a surge currently being experienced in the United States and Europe after the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Peak season is in the fourth quarter when the number of international visitors will rise to up to 19 million, according to a projection by the Bank of Thailand, he said. The number of tourists was projected to slowly grow in the third quarter, a low tourist season, before picking up again and rapidly rising in the fourth quarter, he said, citing forecasts by the two agencies. Thailand should learn from what is happening in the US and Europe to better prepare for a similar situation, he said. Massive flight delays and close to 100,000 flight cancellations have occurred in Europe since April, while at least 20,000 cancellations happened in the US in the past two to three months, he said. To help airlines cope better with the current high costs of operation, the CAC has agreed to extend financial measures for airlines operating flights to and from Thailand for another quarter, he said. Measures include a 50% landing and parking discount for both domestic and international flights and a waiver for airlines suspending their operations, he said.

I agree with all of your points with the exception of the above. If you're staying in the Silom /Surawong area, you can walk to the city's premier park at the intersection of Rama IV and Silom roads. Lumpini Park spans 142 acres (57 hectares) and attracts thousands of visitors daily. It has all the facilities you'd imagine, including the often mentioned outdoor weight lifting area where those dedicated to acquiring hard muscle can be seen working out at all hours. The best times to visit are early mornings and early evenings when the heat is manageable and the sun is low. There's a no admission fee. There's a foot bridge connecting Lumpini to Benjakitti Park. There are many other large parks around the city but Lumpini remains the most celebrated.

The Health Ministry has identified a "foreign male" as the source of Thailand's second case of monkeypox. Let's hope this doesn't turn into another "dirty foreigners" episode. From Khaosod English / Thaiger A Thai man in Bangkok has tested positive for monkeypox, becoming Thailand’s second recorded case of the virus since the global outbreak began in May this year. At 2:30pm today, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed that the positive result from Wachira Hospital in Bangkok had been confirmed by the Ministry of Health. The 47 year old Thai man started to feel ill on July 12. Two days later, the man developed a fever, body ache and swollen lymph nodes. A week later, a rash appeared on his genitals, torso, face and arms which is when the man went to be tested at the hospital. The man told the doctors he had sex with a foreign male, who he suspects gave him the virus. He will isolate at the hospital for 21 days. Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Dr.Opas Karnkawinpong said that ten people from one household in Bangkok are at high-risk of contracting the virus after having close contact with the man. All ten will be tested for the virus, observe their symptoms and be tested again after 21 days.

From The Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok, 28 July, 2022 – Bangkok Airways has announced the resumption of its direct daily flights on the Bangkok-Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Bangkok-Yangon (Myanmar) routes from 1 August, 2022, and the Bangkok-Da Nang (Vietnam) route from 1 September, 2022. The Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) – Siem Reap route will be operated by an ATR72-600 aircraft. Flight PG905 will depart Bangkok at 10.30 Hrs. and arrive in Siem Reap at 11.45 Hrs, with Flight PG906 departing Siem Reap at 12.15 Hrs. and arriving in Bangkok at 13.55 Hrs. The Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) – Yangon route will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight PG703 will leave Bangkok at 16.45 Hrs. and arrive in Yangon at 17.35 Hrs, with Flight PG704 leaving Yangon at 18.20 Hrs, and arriving in Bangkok at 20.20 Hrs. The Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) – Da Nang route will also be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight PG947 will depart Bangkok at 10.55 Hrs. and arrive in Da Nang at 12.45 Hrs, with Flight PG948 departing Da Nang at 13.55 Hrs. and arriving in Bangkok at 15.25 Hrs.

From Thai Enquirer The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced on Wednesday that public parks in the capital will start to open at 4:30 am and close at 10 pm instead of the current opening hours, starting August 1.

From Thai PBS World The House committee vetting the Civil Partnership Bill decided today (Wednesday) to amend the bill to make it possible for same-sex couples who are both foreigners to register their partnership in Thailand, instead of one of them having to be a Thai national. Spokesperson for the House scrutiny panel, Thanikarn Pornpongsarote, said that the committee decided to scrap the entire Section 8 of the bill, which stipulates that one of the same-sex couples who are eligible to register their partnership here must be a Thai national. The deletion of the clause means that the door is open for same-sex couples who are both non-Thais to register their union, which can help boost tourism, said Thanikarn. She disclosed that some religious leaders had earlier raised concerns about this bill and observations were also raised by the Council of State, but the House scrutiny committee has made its decision today. The Civil Partnership Bill was proposed by the Ministry of Justice to allow same-sex couples to register their partnerships. The bill also introduces amendments to the Civil and Commercial codes, which will give them almost the same rights as straight couples. The civil partners may adopt children, secure inheritance and engage in the joint management of assets. The bill also includes rules on separations. But the union is still not legally recognised as a marriage.

There's a lot of great advice in the posts above. I think as we get older we come to accept that sex is not necessarily the panacea that it seemed to be even 10-15 years ago. Sometimes less can be more for some of us. I recently spent eight weeks in Bangkok and found myself gradually cutting back my activities. I concentrated on those things that left me with pleasant and lasting memories. For me, the key was whether or not I felt energized by what I was doing. Be forgiving of yourself. Don't think of trip as a contest. And ask yourself what you really want your time away to do for you. The answer may surprise you.

From the BBC Seven players in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) will boycott a key match over their team's decision to wear a pride jersey. On Thursday, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will become the first team in the competition ever to don a kit which promotes LGBT inclusivity in the sport. But players weren't consulted and some object to the move on religious and cultural grounds. The club apologised for its handling of the situation. Coach Des Hasler said the club had made a "significant mistake" that had caused "confusion, discomfort and pain for many people, in particular those groups whose human rights we were in fact attempting to support". In a press conference on Tuesday, he apologised to the LGBT community and to the players involved. "They were not included in any of the discussions, and at a minimum, they should have been consulted," Hasler said. Under league rules, players from the same team cannot wear different jerseys.

From Thai PBS Now testig wastewater for monkeypox at Bangkok airport Sewage at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is being tested for the monkeypox virus by researchers from Naresuan University in the northern province of Phitsanulok. The tests can detect traces of the virus in wastewater immediately – even before the infected person begins to show symptoms – and could be used as a “budget surveillance measure” to catch and control local outbreaks early on. Authorities are ramping up monkeypox prevention measure since Thailand’s recorded its first case of the virus in Phuket last week and since the World Health Organisation declared the monkeypox outbreak a “global health emergency” on Saturday, after 16,000 cases were recorded in 75 countries. According to research, the monkeypox virus can be detected in feces between 7 – 14 days of contracting the virus, often before the infected person begins to show symptoms. Therefore, testing wastewater could help to locate and control the disease before an outbreak occurs. Dr. Thanaphon Penrat from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Research Innovation said the idea is not only preventative, but cost-effective… “Monkeypox does not spread easily but has a fatality rate ranging between 1-10%. Testing wastewater for traces of monkeypox at airports and tourist destinations is the cheapest way of finding early-warning signs of monkeypox outbreaks.” Testing wastewater could be a sensible way to screen tourists arriving in Thailand for monkeypox instead of testing every person who comes through the airport. Introducing pre-arrival or on-arrival monkeypox testing for individual arrivals could be catastrophic for Thailand’s tourism industry, which has only just started to recover since the removal of Covid-19 related entry requirements. ================== From The Nation 40 year old smallpox vaccines effective against monkeypox Thailand has a stockpile of smallpox vaccines in cold storage which were produced more than 40 years ago in 1979 and 1980. Not only are the vaccines still effective against smallpox, but they are 85% effective against monkeypox too, according to Thailand’s Department of Medical Sciences (DMS). The vaccines could be used in the instance that the global monkeypox outbreak becomes a public health emergency in Thailand and the government is unable to procure fresh, more recently produced vaccines. There are 10,000 vials in storage which each contain 50 doses of the vaccine, amounting to around 500,000 doses in total. The vaccines are left over from when smallpox was completely eradicated in Thailand by 1980. The vials are from 13 batches, produced in 1979 and 1980, have been stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius for over 40 years.

From Bangkok Post Seat shortage stymies tourism recovery The shortage of airline seats remains a major obstacle for the recovery of Thai tourism as most European flag carriers haven't resumed flights and frequencies to the pre-Covid level. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the agency met the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand last week and was informed that Thailand might secure just 30.9% international seat capacity of the pre-pandemic level in the upcoming high season. At present, international airlines, mostly from major long-haul destinations, have not resumed flights as usual, leaving a limited choice for travellers who want convenient direct flights. The TAT has prepared a marketing plan to support airlines to bring passengers to Thailand, particularly from Russia and other countries in Europe, but it depends on the additional budget it requested. In 2019, Thailand had a seat capacity of 56.2 million, before plunging to 14.8 million in 2020 and 4.9 million in 2021. Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Thai AirAsia and acting chief executive of Thai AirAsia X, said most airlines are facing extremely high operational costs and insufficient manpower and aircraft. "The aviation business cannot pick up overnight, particularly for those who slashed their workforce during Covid-19," said Mr Tassapon. He said after parking aircraft for over two years, all engines need major maintenance work before taking to the skies, resulting in long queues and full bookings at every maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. Mr Tassapon said the TAT's initiative to help airlines increase seat capacity is a good strategy to boost the tourism industry. In the past, governments from many countries adopted similar mechanisms, such as providing incentives for airlines that can carry international passengers at certain levels. He said Thai AirAsia maintained all staff in the past two years to avoid such circumstances during the recovery period as commercial pilots have to extend their licences every six months by training with flight simulators.

From South China Morning Post HONG KONG: All incoming travellers from overseas must complete their Covid-19 health declaration online from Thursday before flying into Hong Kong under a new requirement by the government to speed up processing at the airport. Under a trial scheme announced on Sunday, arrivals will have to complete a declaration form on the Department of Health's website to obtain a QR code before boarding their flights. While the declaration system has been in place since June 2020, a government spokesman noted that some people only logged on to register upon arriving in Hong Kong. "[It] may hinder others, who have valid health declarations, from arriving in Hong Kong during peak hours," he added. The validity period of the health declaration QR code will be 96 hours, which means users travelling to the city can submit the form online as early as three days before their flight. Health authorities on Sunday confirmed 4,250 coronavirus infections, including 186 imported cases. Eight new deaths linked to the virus were also reported. The city's Covid-19 tally stands at 1,321,739 cases, with 9,469 related fatalities.

From Forbes GranMonte Winery is located on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, celebrated for its biodiversity. (Livia Henge) lMy interest in heroic viticulture has taken me across northern and southern Italy, but I didn’t expect it to catch up with me on a recent trip to Thailand. As I was researching weekend trips from Bangkok, I stumbled upon the GranMonte Estate, a family owned winery located just 2.5 hours northeast of Bangkok. And, intrigued by the prospect of grapes grown in a tropical climate, I made the trip to learn about Thai wine and explore this emerging winemaking region. Located at the foothills of Khao Yai, a national park renowned for its biodiversity, GranMonte (whose name means “Big Mountain”) is set across 40 acres of land in Thailand’s Asoke Valley. Though the property’s Italian-inspired VinCotto restaurant and wine cottage may be reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside, the occasional sighting of elephants in the vineyard will remind you that you’re not in Europe anymore. You’re in the tropics. “Our region isn’t only beaches and coconut trees,” says Nikki Lohitnavy, the first and only certified winemaker in Thailand, and lead enologist of GranMonte. Together with her family, she has helped spearhead production in a new terroir. “The Khao Yai National Park is mountainous, reaching 4,000ft at its peak, making it the driest part of the country. In the winter, a cold front arrives from China, creating a continental microclimate in this area, with night temperatures that can drop to 50°F.” GranMonte was born out of Visooth Lohitnavy’s vision passion for wine, and it remains a family affair. Visooth is the CEO & Managing Director, his wife Sakuna is President, Nikki is the General Manager and Director of Oenology, and sister Mimi is the Director of PR and Marketing. Nikki always had a penchant for gardening and helped her family plant their first grapes on the property back in 1999. She went on to study enology at the University of Adelaide in Australia and has been a visiting winemaker in France, South Africa, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, and Venezuela, giving her a strong background in diverse styles, climates and production methods. She is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on tropical viticulture and was listed as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia in 2016 for paving the way for a new industry in Thailand. Her guiding philosophy at GranMonte? “I want to be true to the origin of the wine,” she says. “New world wines, old world wines, the labels are irrelevant — I go across the spectrum based on what’s best for each grape. Our crémant is more traditional and rustic, while our whites tend to have tropical fruit characteristics, like lychee and coconut,” she explains. “Visitors at GranMonte are often surprised that our wines aren’t jammy or high in alcohol, but resemble cooler climate wines that are fresh with a nice acidity.” GranMonte produces 100,000 bottles across 23 labels and grows dozens of grape varietals. Chenin Blanc and Syrah are considered best grapes for tropical climates thanks to their adaptability, but the winery also grows from Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Tempranillo, to Viognier, Verdelho and Albariño, among others. Innovation and experimentation are guiding principles at GranMonte, which is a production-led, rather than a market-led, business given its recent emergence in Thailand. It produces sparkling wines in the classic method and is starting to make orange wines made in Georgian qvevris. It also collaborates with luxury hotels like the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok and Six Senses Yao Noi to produce white-label wines for guests to enjoy an unexpected taste of Thailand during their stay. GranMonte’s wines have won more than 100 awards, including several gold medals at AWC Vienna for its Bussaba Natural Sweet Wine and Orient Reserve Syrah over the years. While most of its wine is consumed locally, 20% is exported elsewhere in Asia with growing markets in Singapore and Taiwan. Grapes are grown at 1000-2000ft above sea level and are pruned twice a year. GranMonte uses a precision farming system called “Smart Vineyard” to monitor the microclimate and ensure quality control and higher grape yields in the unconventional region. Unlike grapes in traditional winegrowing areas, Thailand’s grapes ripen in winter, in preparation for the harvest that runs from February to March each year. “There’s no dormancy in the vines,” explains Nikki, “So we can plan when we want to harvest.” The harvest generally takes place at night when temperatures are cooler, which is good news for the grapes — and the grape pickers. Visitors can join vineyard and winery tours of the property, followed by guided wine tastings, or stay overnight at GranMonte’s wine cottage which has 7 suites nestled in the vineyard. The Italian-inspired VinCotto restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. https://www.forbes.com/sites/liviahengel/2022/07/25/why-you-should-visit-a-tropical-vineyard-in-thailand/?sh=69deb3958500

It's always been generally accepted that two types of posts are the most popular and well read: trip reports and venue reports. If this discussion has proven anything it's that the topic of money--and how and why we spend it--is deserving of a place alongside them. In the five days since this thread first appeared, it has attracted over, 2,400 views and 88 replies. It has succeeded in touching a cord that has prompted numerous members to participate. To a man, they all have divergent views, something I don't believe comes as a shock to any of us. Unlike trip reports, which almost always win universal acclaim. discussions about money have almost the opposite effect. No two posters see it precisely the same way. Maybe that's because it's such a deeply personal matter. Some just want to get their rocks off and walk away from the engagement with a quickly fading but pleasant memory. Some prefer to see their time together as an opportunity get to know these young men with hopes of possibly seeing some of them again. This is all to be expected because we're all motivated by different needs and emotions and--like snowflakes--no two are alike. While it's been a motivating discussion, talking about sex and money is akin to talking about religion and politics. No one is going to persuade another to come around to their way of thinking. But it makes for a hell of a ride.

The Wisdom of Solomon could render no more fair levy. However, I have one tiny suggestion: I believe deep kissing should be 999 baht and bar hand job 888 baht. Aside from that it should be posted in bars and clubs throughout the applicable jurisdictions. 😉 Although Jupiter is a celestial destination, it remains accessible only through Soi 4. Consequently it falls within aforementioned jurisdiction. Therefore, above levies apply. There's no need to seek mediation or interpretation from mamasan because the decree rises above their authority in such matters. Mamasans will continue to have authority in more temporal matters (i.e., where you will sit and what waiter gets assigned to your table. Going forward, as the rule decrees, there are no more "regular" rates, only the new "acceptable" rates.

From The Thaiger / Pattaya News Another Indian tourist reported gold necklace stolen in Pattaya In what has become an all-too-familiar story, Pattaya Police announced that an Indian tourist reported that a transgender woman stole his 30,000 baht gold necklace. The theft is the latest in a rash of gold necklace thefts being reported by Indian tourists in Pattaya and occasionally Phuket. The victim this time was a 43 year old Indian man who says he was walking alone late last night on Pattaya Beach when a person that he believed was transgender approached him. While he was enjoying the views of Pattaya Beach at night, at around 11:30 pm a motorbike approached him on a The person he thinks to be transgender was able to snatch an 80-gramme gold necklace right off his neck before speeding away into the night on their motorbike, according to his police report. “I was shocked that it happened to me because the road was very crowded.” This is at least the 10th time that similar thefts of gold necklaces from Indian tourists have been reported in the Pattaya area in recent months. Pattaya Police announced a specialised patrol force in May to combat this particular type of theft, and declared again at the end of last month they would crack down on Indian gold necklace thefts. Police officers did not find any potential suspects or any evidence at the scene of the crime. They vowed to study CCTV camera footage in the area to identify and arrest the perpetrator of the gold necklace theft.

....or are you just glad to see me. From Pattaya News Local rescuers caught a five-meter-long python that crawled into a residential home in Pattaya, startling the house owner. The python was found curling up behind a water tank at a residential home in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung at 10 PM on Friday, July 22nd. The house owner Sukanya Boonla, 34, said that she was so terrified that she could not enter her home. “I found it behind a water tank, it was very big, so I just ran and called for help,” Sukanya told The Pattaya News. The python was found curling up behind a water tank at a residential home in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung at 10 PM on Friday, July 22nd. The house owner Sukanya Boonla, 34, said that she was so terrified that she could not enter her home. “I found it behind a water tank, it was very big, so I just ran and called for help,” Sukanya told The Pattaya News. According to the rescuers, it would be safely released back to nature far away from the residential area in the hope that it would not return.

From Pattaya Mail Hopping into Cambodia for a visa run is back in fashion. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh can be skipped by using a good agent, several of which are found on Riverside, the tourist district technically known as Sisowath Quay. This avoids having to make a prior appointment at the embassy and risking failure, a far-from-unknown phenomenon it appears. Mr Keo Song, director of LMN Travel and Tours, said, “We can obtain 60 day tourist entry to Thailand promptly and cut down on the waiting period for non-immigrant visas.” It is no secret that the Cambodian immigration authority actually prefers agent usage. For those wanting a longer stay in Cambodia than a month or two, there are now a host of one year permits for retirees, spouses, students, professionals and even a permit for those seeking employment. The 12-months, multiple-entry retiree visa costs around US$300 with no proof of income or cash necessary for those over 55. Nonetheless, long stayers must register online with the Cambodian immigration data base of foreigners resident in the kingdom. A source of excellent advice and insight on Facebook is the Cambodian Visa and Work Permit Group run by volunteers. Prices have risen since the Covid blitz, but you can still get a mug of ice-cold lager for US$1.75. International tourism right now is slow with no Chinese or Indian vacationers and Europeans thin on the ground. The number of expat gathering bars has declined substantially with many, such as the old Foreign Correspondents Club, currently under demolition. A newish survivor is the popular Harry’s (on Riverside) which serves a variety of British and Scandinavian food as well as novel cocktails such as Slippery Nipple, a generous dose of Sambucca and Bailey’s for US$4.50. If you want to meet friendly English-speaking expats, Harry’s is a good choice. Expat bars are in decline here, but Harry’s is a popular gathering ground for expats. About 50 nightclubs are scattered in neighboring streets, not exactly gogo bars but offering up young ladies of the night who won’t hesitate to make an impression on you of one sort or another. The sprinkle of massage parlors proclaim a one hour massage costs US$5, but a closer inspection of the tariff reveals there is an extra US$5 for aircon and a great deal more for special services. The gay bar scene is Spartan by Pattaya standards and some of the choices currently being promoted on social media are locked up or vanished. Phnom Penh is a budding airconditioned skyscraper metropolis with huge Chinese and Japanese investment. The Aeon mal, roughly the size of Pattaya’s Terminal 21 with a huge food court, is a vibrant selling centre of global brands with its own movie theatre. Phnom Penh also hosts the disturbing memories of the Khmer Rouge horror dictatorship in the 1970s. The torture centre of Tuol Sleng with its genocide museum and the pits of the Killing Fields a short drive away are a grim reminder indeed of Cambodia’s awful history. Legal gambling in Phnom Penh is restricted to Nagaworld, a huge entertainment and luxurious hotel complex which likely mirrors what casinos will be like in Thailand once legalized. Oddly, there is a Buddhist temple adjoining the premises. That’s something you’d never see in Pattaya.

From The Nation BMA shows mountains of garbage that was fished out of Bangkok canals on Friday. The operation was conducted after several parts of the capital were inundated on Thursday after overnight rain.