reader

From Bangkok Post Most Covid controls to be lifted The Public Health Ministry expects the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to lift nearly all Covid-19 restrictions nationwide, meaning the virtual full-scale resumption of business and other activities including entertainment. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that he expected the CCSA to announce nationwide green Covid-19 zones on Friday and also set the date for the relaxation to begin. As for the use of face masks, Mr Anutin said the Public Health Ministry would not announce a complete end to face mask use on Friday. Officials would consider lifting the requirement in particular areas. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the Public Health Ministry would on Friday propose the CCSA impose green zones nationwide and in practice there would not be any restrictions on business and other activities. Health authorities had no concerns about the operation of pubs, bars and karaoke shops. The number of serious Covid-19 cases dependent on ventilators had dropped to 200-300, he said. On the use of face masks, Dr Opas said the Public Health Ministry had never arrested anyone who failed to wear a face mask. It only recommended people wear masks as long as they could do so, he said. The ministry suggested people remove face masks while eating, when alone or a fair distance away from others, or when outdoors or in well-ventilated places, Dr Opas said.

Violence against gays takes multiple forms but the most damaging in the long term, I think, is ostracism from family and former friends. That’s how many of us found our way to Thailand and can not imagine a life now that doesn’t include it. As I sat in a non-gay bar the other evening with a much younger man, both enjoying the music and atmosphere, no one took notice that was evident to me. That itself was worth the long trip and cost of getting here in the first place. To me, that was what I truly yearned for.

Once the runner up behind exports, tourism is now being hailed as the “key engine supporting Thailand’s economic recovery.” An article in the Bangkok Post cites a report by Siam Commercial Bank, upgrading its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals to 7.4 million this year. Although this represents an increase of 1.7 million, it still falls far shor of the 40 million who visited in 2019.

If you have a very quick trigger, some guys may fall back on old proverb: you come, I go. I think it’s a wise practice to pace yourself—and your partner—to avoid premature climax.

From Bangkok Posr The government will temporarily halt the need for international passengers to fill out TM 6 immigration forms to ease passenger congestion at international airports. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday this would reduce the process for foreign visitors as they were already required to fill out many forms upon arrival. It will also help alleviate congestion as international arrival numbers have increased, he added. Gen Prayut said authorities will evaluate the outcome of the announcement and consider if it needs to be revised, especially if they are unable to trace passengers. The Interior Ministry will expedite the drafting of the announcement, which is expected to finish in a week. Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said foreign travellers who enter Thailand bey land or sea will still be required to fill out the form. The move will save around 45.5 million baht a year in printing costs for an estimated 65 million TM 6 forms, she said. Immigration police can still collect data on arrivals via the biometric systems at airports, while other travel data can be collected from airlines, Ms Traisuree said. Thais have not needed to fill out a TM 6 since 2017.

USD 35.05 EUR 36.48 GBP 41.97

Police came through Patpong 2 tonight and informed all businesses that they must close at stroke of midnight for the next three nights. Foodland only exception.

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/