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If there is a flip side to the anxiety and pain--and for some, wasted years of suppression--there remains the fact that many of us would have never made our way to Thailand as a way of escaping the psychic straitjacket that ruled our lives for far too long. Irregardless of where we're from, that's the commonality that many of us here share. Younger men who grew up in a different era may have difficulty in appreciating what harm bigots can do, even when those bigots are close family members. It's only when someone unexpectedly open up about it (and that seems to occur when the topic is about something else altogether) that we acknowledge that we're more alike than we are different. So if the forum can serve as a vehicle of catharsis, so much the better.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Starting in September 2022, anybody rich enough can have a Thai digital work permit automatically awarded by the Department of Employment. Under the 10-year Long Term Residence Visa (LTRV), high-potential foreigners including top-flight executives, serious investors, hi-tech innovators, ageing retirees and even the idle-rich are welcome. They are targets of the government’s program to entice affluent aliens to boost the post-covid economy. The definition of affluent varies according to the application category. Basically, if you think one million baht is a fortune, forget the idea. LTRV is managed by the cash-conscious Board of Investment and not by embassies or the immigration bureau. Further employment attractions of the LTRV are that holders can work legally without the former requirement of a ratio of one foreign permit for four Thais in the company. High-flyers will benefit from a flat-rate income tax of 17% instead of the 35% charged on income greater than US$140,000, although they will still need to fill in an annual tax form. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, spokesman for the Board of Investment, explained that he expected most applicants to be people working in hi-tech industries such as electric vehicles, biotechnology and electronics. Some already have the four-year Smart visa, which doesn’t require a separate work permit and is clearly in direct competition with LTRV. In recent years, the once-draconian Thai work permit rules – which once even cast doubt on whether painting your neighbor’s fence as a favour might be legal as it removed a Thai’s right of employment – have become far softer. Two royal decrees of 2017 actually abolished large chunks of the Alien Workers Act of 2008 and, for the first time, legalized (without the need for a permit) attending conferences or business meetings. Not to mention “emergency” working under 15 days and participating in sports or cultural events. As is typical in Thai legislation, there is scope for argument. Whether company directors or voluntary workers can rest easy is debatable. Suffice it to say that there haven’t been reports of any prosecutions of those groups lately. Instead, immigration police and Labour Department investigators have concentrated on specific groups of offenders. Permit-less foreign teachers remain vulnerable in certain schools which promise a work permit but never seem to get round to it. The owners are anxious to reduce their tax liability on salaries, but jealous rival schools sometimes make a complaint. Also at risk are foreigners seemingly taking jobs from Thais. Recently in Phuket, locals complained bitterly that the island’s entertainment and hospitality industries had been virtually taken over by aliens on tourist visas or even with overstay status. Press reports did not indicate the nationalities of the offenders who may have been unregistered Asians. Another ambiguous group are digital nomads for whom there is no specific visa in Thailand. Most survive on tourist visas and are left untouched by the authorities as long as they are not publicly reducing the earning potential of Thai nationals. The Board of Investment is keen on attracting remote workers and its website trumpets a survey designating Bangkok as the world’s second-best location. But whether most nomads will be interested in the LTRV with its attendant bureaucracy and need to prove a high income is far from clear. So it is still broadly true that working in Thailand requires a non-immigrant business visa and a work permit. But it’s by no means entirely true.

From Bangkok Post People are being warned to remain vigilant against websites imitating the homepages of government agencies with the intent to steal sensitive data and carry out financial scams. Cybercriminals are hosting fake government websites to intercept people’s data or even hack into their mobile devices, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Friday. Thai government website URLs only end in “.go.th” and not “.com”, she said. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2367413/public-warned-against-fake-government-websites

"...today they're the honored dead."

The Thaiger reports that not wearing a seat belt in the rear seat of the car in Thailand will soon be punishable by a 2,000 baht fine. The rule will come into effect 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette on September 5, this year. ============== The National News Bureau reports that the Bank of Thailand (BoT) hiked its key interest rate for the first time in nearly four years on Wednesday (August 10), increasing it by a quarter percent to combat growing inflation as the economy recovers. The monetary policy committee voted 6-1 to boost the one-day repurchase rate from a record low of 0.50%, which had remained steady since May 2020, to 0.75 percent.

From The Thaiger Five pre-op transgender men approached a lawyer for help after a breast removal surgery broker scammed them out of 4 million baht. The born females who identify as men are just five of about 25 to have made complaints about the broker, a transgender man, who took their money, and booked surgery but did not pay the clinic for the operations. The five disgruntled victims approached lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet for help at his office in the Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi Province. The lawyer and his clients filed their complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau yesterday. Ronnarong made public that the pre-op men paid “Tomway,” the nickname of the breast surgery removal broker, for a service that was never delivered and they were fraudulently robbed of about 4 million baht. A beauty clinic owner in Bangkok, Miss Warapaswee (surname reserved), made it known she met the Tomway broker. The 43 year old said he came to her clinic and discussed deals where he wanted 52% of the cost for every customer he delivered to the clinic. “He sent a lot of clients to the clinic. In the first three cases, he transferred the money to the clinic before surgery again. But after the fourth case and onwards there was always an excuse for the late arrival of the payment, such as he was drunk and forgot or I haven’t woken up yet or his wife will transfer the money for the surgery. “The outstanding balance began to increase, almost 200,000 baht, so I had to suspend the surgery until the outstanding money was paid.” https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/pre-op-trans-mens-anger-after-bangkok-breast-removal-broker-scams-them-out-4-million-baht

From The Thaiger Death tolls rises to 17 Another person injured in the Mountain B fire died in hospital this morning, raising the total death toll of the tragedy to 17. The blaze which swept through the nightclub in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, happened a week ago today. Lt. Cl. Palitdet Chumngern, a marine in the Royal Thai Navy, died at 7.54am this morning at Sririraj Hospital, according to the Chon Buri Provincial Public Relations Office.

From The Thaiger Death toll rises to 16 The Mountain B tragedy continues as another person injured in the fire dies in hospital. A 23 year old man identified as Sittichai Ouilert died at Chon Buri hospital at 10.21pm yesterday, after he was caught in the fire which swept through a Chon Buri nightclub on Thursday night. A total of 13 people died at the scene in the Sattahip district and three people have since died from their injuries in hospital, according to the Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office. Of the 42 people injured in the fire, nine people have returned home. Of the 30 people still receiving treatment in hospital, 16 are still on ventilators to help them breathe, according to the Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Tourist Authority of Thailand is pressurizing the government to allow most vacationing foreigners to visit Thailand for up to three months without obtaining a visa from their local Thai embassy abroad. Visitors from 64 countries (including Brits, Russians, Australians, Americans and most mainland Europeans) are already visa-exempt. They obtain 30 days free-of-charge on arrival which can be extended for a further month at Thai immigration on payment of 1,900 baht. If the Thai Cabinet, as expected, accepts the proposal, these periods would become 45-plus-45 days for a total of three months. A similar discretion would apply to those from 19 countries (including mega-markets China and India) whose citizens require a visa-on-arrival costing 1,900 baht (US$54) at Thai airports. Currently, they receive only 15 days but would now receive 45 days plus a further 45 days extension. TAT is also proposing abolition of the fee, but this is thought less likely for budgetary reasons. The movement towards 90 day entry without involving embassies in the home country is partly to end visa application delays, but more especially to encourage longer stays and higher spending. Thai authorities seem determined right now to ease entry for foreigners. Pre-flight and online registration, anti-Covid insurance and even the TM6 address card have all been suspended. Arriving passengers no longer have to fill in any forms, although Ministry of Health officials may conduct random health checks on anyone looking ill. The experience compares favorably with Cambodia, for instance, where all foreigners must fill in a visa application, a health questionnaire and a customs declaration all collected at different desks. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT governor, this week also announced that the 300 baht tourist fee, to be levied on foreigners, would not now be implemented for “one or two years” as the imperative is get tourist numbers up from the doldrums. The tax had been heavily criticized as not worth the hassle. Security expert Colin Ross said Thai authorities had finally realized that form-filling was a poor way of monitoring foreigners. “Computerization of records and tracking people’s GPS location via mobile phones makes a lot more sense,” he said. He added that once virtual passports replace the documentary version, travellers’ identity and biometrics would be stored in a cloud. No need to carry the passport or fear it being stolen. But that’s a few years away yet. =========================== From Pattaya News Propose end of hospitels and hotel isolation in September The Department of Health Service Support of the Ministry of Public Health is planning to propose the cancellation of hospitel and hotel isolation on September 1st. Director-General Dr. Thares Krasanaiyarawiwong revealed on Wednesday, August 10th, that the Department will propose the cancellation to the Public Health Ministry after the resolving situation of the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand. The proposal will be introduced to Minister Anutin Charnvirakul before being issued as a Public Health announcement in the following step. It is initially planned to be implemented in September, if approved.

If you simply scroll back in this same thread you'll find a link and the comments of others regarding Senso.

It's hardly a secret that the majority of posters here are in the 50+ age group so it's understandable that issues about aging frequently come up. It becomes a time in our lives when we realize when we tend to look back with both fondness and regret. That's perfectly normal. But if we find ourselves dwelling too much on the rear view mirror, we risk allowing it to inhibit our future. At least that's the case for me. From time to time I enjoy reminiscing about earlier days but I'm also keenly aware that I'm increasingly focused on whatever years I have remaining. Vinapu offers sage advice when he encourages us to start planning our next trip. It's not a magic elixir but there are probably few better antidotes to the blues. Growing old and gay presents is own special breed of challenges. As some have written about on these pages, we tend to have few--if any--family members we're comfortable discussing our sexuality with. As much as we'd like to talk about our trips to Thailand, we usually keep it to ourselves or restrict it to forums like this. Yes, it can be quite lonely at times. Posters have described the pain complete strangers have caused them when they're in the company of young men. This also has the potential to inhibit the way we lead our lives. One close friend gave me this advice when I come across someone like that: "See them for what they are in our life: trash. Visualize tossing them in a bag and disposing them along with the rubbish and forget them. They're not worth another second's thought." Regardless of our age, we have enough other issues that we can't avoid, health and finances among them. We deal with them as best we can but we don't have to allow the stares and remarks of bigots stand in our way of happiness.

I rise to defense of Calgary. It's well known for the "greatest outdoor show on earth." The annual, 10-day Calgary Stampede. To paraphrase those great Bangkok lyrics, One night in Calgary and the tough guys tumble. What's not to love?

From MSN The Central Tax Court has ruled in favour of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra by revoking the Revenue Department’s order for him to pay about 17 billion baht in tax over the 2006 sale of a stake in Shin Corp. The ruling was issued by the court on Monday. On July 18, the court ruled that the department’s summoning of Thaksin’s children, Panthongtae and Pintongta, for a tax assessment under Section 19 of the Revenue Code was unlawful as both siblings were only proxies holding shares for him, it said. The Revenue Department should have summoned Thaksin for the tax appraisal, but it failed to do so before a deadline, the court said. Moreover, the transaction did not constitute a change of share ownership in Shin Corp, thus Thaksin remained the share owner and he was not liable to pay tax under Section 39 and Section 40(2) of the Revenue Code. As a result, the tax assessment by revenue officials and the committee set up to review Thaksin’s appeal was unlawful. The court ruled to revoke the department’s Por Ngor Dor 12 form demanding a 17.6 billion baht back tax payment. However, the court said the officials had acted within their jurisdiction and were not held for liability.

From Pattaya Mail The deadly Aug. 5 fire at the Mountain B nightclub in Plutaluang, Sattahip district spilled over into Pattaya over the weekend, with all nightlife venues closed early and safety inspections carried across the city. Pol. Maj. Gen. Surajit Chingnawan, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 2, dispatched 50 officers to fan out across the city Saturday night to check fire standards at bars and clubs. He also told officers to enforce the letter of the law, which meant bars had to close by 2 a.m. at the latest. Officers checked fire exists, extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarms to ensure they were in working order. Building permits also were checked to ensure business owners had not illegally modified or expanded their venues.

From The Economist Intelligence Unit This week, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released their Global Liveability Index ranking of the top 10 best and 10 worst places to live in the world in 2022. The index scored 172 cities in five categories: culture, health care, education, infrastructure, and entertainment. Cities in Scandinavia dominate the list of Most Liveable Cities thanks to the stability and good infrastructure in the region. These cities inhabitants are supported by good healthcare and numerous opportunities for culture and entertainment, according to the index. Year after year, cities in Austria and Switzerland tend to rank high among quality of life lists thanks to their well-developed social market economy. Although 18 different countries are represented on these lists, you won't find the U.S. ranked in the top 10 on either one. A representative for EIU told CNBC Make It via email that Atlanta, Georgia ranked as the most liveable US city, at number 26 on the list, while Washington D.C. came in close behind at number 30. Here's the rest of the top 10 best places to live Vienna, Austria Copenhagen, Denmark Zurich, Switzerland Calgary, Canada Vancouver, Canada Geneva, Switzerland Frankfurt, Germany Toronto, Canada Amsterdam, Netherlands Osaka, Japan and Melbourne, Australia (tie) Here's the rest of the top 10 worst places to live Tehran, Iran Douala, Cameroon Harare, Zimbabwe Dhaka, Bangladesh Port Moresby, PNG Karachi, Pakistan Algiers, Algeria Tripoli, Libya Lagos, Nigeria Damascus, Syria https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/these-are-the-top-10-best-and-worst-places-to-live-in-the-world-e2-80-94and-you-wont-find-the-us-on-either-list/ar-AA10pbJ3

From CNBC The FBI is raiding Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s resort home in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said Monday evening. In a lengthy statement, Trump said his residence is “currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents.” The raid was “unannounced,” Trump said, adding, “They even broke into my safe!” Trump, who summers at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, was not at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the raid, NBC News reported. The former president departed Trump Tower in New York City later Monday evening without responding to questions, according to NBC. The FBI declined to comment.

Hey, don't sell all of us working class types short.

According to K-Bank website, the booth near City Line Train open 0700 to 2300. There's another location in arrivals area reportedly open 24/7. The booth near train once offered good exchange rate but when I checked it on way out a month ago, the rate was very non-competitive with rates in the city.

From Bangkok Post PATTAYA: The Pattaya Provincial Court on Monday approved the conditional release on bail of the owner of Mountain B pub, where a fire claimed 15 lives and injured 38 other people early Friday morning. Pongsiri... Please credit and share this article with others using this link:https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2364031/deadly-blaze-pub-owner-gets-bail. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Police took him from Phu Ta Luang police station in Sattahip district of Chon Buri, where he has been held since Saturday, to the court in Pattaya, where they applied to detain him for another 12 days... Please credit and share this article with others using this link:https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2364031/deadly-blaze-pub-owner-gets-bail. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

From Coconuts Bangkok Don’t close free vaccine clinic in downtown Bangkok Business groups and an association advocating for Americans have asked the Disease Control Department to reconsider the closure of a conveniently located vaccination center next month. The Americans in Thailand Association petitioned the department to continue operating the free vaccination clinic on Sathorn Road at the Bang Rak Medical Center where COVID-19 shots and boosters have been readily available for the past 15 months. “The association disagrees with its closure as Thais and foreigners will have more difficult access to vaccines,” the letter urged disease control chief Opas Karnkawinpong in its letter, a copy of which was shared today with Coconuts. “Moreover, the Department of Disease Control will lose opportunities and achievements accumulated as well as losing one of the best measures to deal with the emergency epidemic situation that still can happen at any time.” “Last year we were seeing 500 patients a day,” said a representative for the center who declined to give her name. “Now we receive about 100. Sometimes it’s only 50.” Located near BTS Saint Louis in the Bang Rak Medical Center, the clinic opened May 2021. Free appointments could be made within minutes, but the online system was no longer available as of Monday.

From The Nation Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday begged Lop Buri voters for their support, as he launched his bid to become Thailand’s next prime minister. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin, who doubles as deputy prime minister, was speaking at a party rally to announce its Lopburi MP candidates in Khok Samrong district. Bhumjaithai announced in April it would nominate Anutin as its PM candidate for the next election, which must be called by March next year. Anutin said on Sunday that if voters elected enough Bhumjaithai candidates, he would be willing to run the country as prime minister. He added the party was seeking to double the number of ministries it controls after the next election. “Bhumjaithai has three ministries in this current administration. We want six ministries in the next election. Give us lots of votes. Don’t worry about handing us this burden. If I have to become the prime minister, so be it,” Anutin said.

I've heard gay men my age express concern about being seen with a younger man in a restaurant in Bangkok. If there's any place on earth where this more of a non-issue, I'm not aware of it. I frequently offer to take a guy out to eat and I can't recall the last one who declined the offer. I've come to look at this way: if I'm not at peace with my sexuality now, how many more years will I have to wait before I am.

The well-known shopping district Siam Square went through a major facelift, now a lively walking street free of overhead cables. The area now serves as the city's latest shopping and recreational space, featuring live performances from various performers. Let’s take a look at this report.

Sometimes nothing lifts our spirits more than a feel good story. This one is about a youngster whose dad was in jail and his mother was suffering from terminal cancer. Then he watched a break dancing video and nothing has been the same since. From the BBC A dancer from Vietnam says breaking kept him away from drugs and helped him deal with family problems. B4 is now hoping to represent his country in the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Breaking, also known as breakdancing, will be debuting in Paris, but currently the sports federation in Vietnam has no plans to compete in the new category. View the video: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-60797082

From Bangkok Post Mountain B pub owner detained, confesses charges CHON BURI: The owner of Mountain B pub is under detention at a police station after he reported to police on Saturday night. His lawyer said his client had confessed to all charges. Pongsiri Panprasong, 27, reported to Phlu Ta Luang police. He was promptly escorted into the police station building without talking to meda gathered outside. The detention took place soon after the Pattaya Provincial Court signed an arrest warrant for him on the following two charges. Negligent acts that cause the death of other persons Operating a nightspot without permission Mr Pongsiri was taken to the cells at the police station after hours of interrogations with no bail allowed by the police. Lawyer Anucha Wongsrisat said his client had confessed to the charges and he will request bail approval from the court on Monday by depositing 1 million baht in cash as surety.