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Coming to Bangkok since 2002 and don't think I ever booked a massage or offed a guy who wasn't smiling. You can't gag and smile at same time. ☺️

From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: Thailand expects the first leg of an 873 km high-speed railway connecting it to China to begin operations in 2026, a senior official said on Tuesday (Jan 18), three years later than planned, Phase one links the capital Bangkok to the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, about 200 km away. Phase two connects Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai, bordering Laos, about 330 km further north. The second phase is currently under environmental assessment and is expected to begin service in 2028, said government deputy spokeswoman Traisulee Traisaranakul. The project comes under China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative, which aims to link the world's second-largest economy by land corridors and sea links to Southeast, Central and South Asia and Central Asia, and with maritime routes opening up trade with the Middle East and Europe. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-expects-high-speed-rail-china-2023-2442766

You seem to believe that the available options are toiling in the rice fields or selling bananas. But Thailand has been rapidly transforming into an industrialized country with many entry-level manufacturing jobs available. Working in the rice field is normally something that the whole family contributes to in the planting and harvesting seasons, but some of that labor is now mechanized. It's not the Thailand of 40-50 years ago. The options aren't as humble as you project. You twice refer to suppressing the gag reflex. You and I have obviously had very different experiences in Thailand because I've not encountered that behavior. Many are up front in setting their personal limits but so do we. If I treated an affair as a purely transactional arrangement, I would expect a mechanical and impersonal response. I've found that trying to learn a little about the guy as an individual frequently makes a difference in how he views both me and himself. It's been my experience that most of the guys I meet have much better self-images than you present here.

Chonburi may get Sandbox nod From Bangkok Post The government will lower the Covid-19 alert level and is considering easing more restrictions to boost the economy, the health minister said on Tuesday, in response to a slower infection rate. Among measures being considered are establishing more "sandbox" areas for tourists, who can skip quarantine if they stay in specified areas for seven days and undergo two Covid-19 tests. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters new sandbox areas could include Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khon Kaen and Samut Prakan provinces. The scheme, a calibrated move to rebuild the decimated tourism sector, currently operates in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Koh Samui. Mr Anutin added that the 'Test and Go' scheme that allows free movement to tourists who pass one Covid test on arrival could be revived as soon as February. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2249539/govt-to-lower-covid-alert-ease-curbs-as-infections-slow

I meant to say EWR (Newark) to SIN. Singapore has since shifted the flight to JFK.

From Bangkok Post The government may revive the quarantine-free visa programme for vaccinated travellers from abroad, less than a month after suspending the waiver, as fears of a new wave of Omicron-driven Covid cases recede. Officials will propose lifting the suspension of the Test & Go programme to the nation’s virus task force led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2248875/govt-mulls-resuming-quarantine-free-travel-programme

Per-covid, I flew that non-stop from JFK to SIN four times. There's no getting around that it's a marathon passage. I'd be sure to get up and walk around every few hours (if you're not sleeping). The good news is that I found Singapore's customer service (in the air and on the ground) to be the best in the sky. The entertainment package will keep you occupied with a huge variety of movies and TV series. The rest rooms on board are continually cleaned. The aircraft used is the Airbus 350-900 in the ultra long range configuration, with only two classes of service (business and premium economy). The prevailing winds aloft determine the precise course you'll take. Twice the route tracked across the northern Atlantic, Europe and a host of other nations on its way into Changi, an enormous but efficient airport. Hope you enjoy thee ride. Some of the views are truly unforgettable regardless of the route actually flown.

I agree with much of what you said above but I have to take issue with assumption that "desperation" is necessarily the primary factor that drives them to taking up sex work. For most who I've encountered, the schedule and the amount of tax-free cash they can earn are the overriding factors. And not everyone is suited for the work. Those with the right skills, appearance and personality earn wages significantly higher than construction or seafood processing, the two areas that attract most of the ASEAN workers who find their way to Thailand--and are so sorely missed now. And then there's some who enjoy the ancillary benefits of free meals and travel, and the opportunity to meet visitors from around the globe they'd never have the chance to meet otherwise.

From Thai Enquirer Thailand should stop publicizing Covid numbers by April Thailand must learn to live with the Covid-19 virus and stop publicizing daily pandemic numbers by the end of April to boost public confidence and allow the country to get back to normal, a senior public health expert told Thai Enquirer on Monday. Thailand recorded 6,929 cases on Monday but just 13 fatalities. On Sunday, the number of deaths, 9, was the lowest recorded in over a year. However, one of those fatalities was from the new Omicron variant of the disease. “I think there is an understanding among health officials that the new Omicron variant is less deadly and could mean the end of the pandemic for us,” said Kanyarat Wanna-anant, a public health expert with Chiang Mai Rajaphat University. “You have to factor this in with our vaccine numbers which are increasing everyday including the use of boosters to know that the end of the pandemic is in sight.” According to Kanyarat, the economic effects of the pandemic have been much more devastating than the virus itself and the country must do all it can to boost consumer and public confidence. “The only number that matters is the death toll and it has gone done by a massive amount since last September and will continue to stay low. If it hovers around the single digits then Thailand will see more road deaths per day than Covid-19 deaths,” she said. “That means we have to reevaluate our priorities, continue to be vigilant, keep acquiring the latest technology to fight the virus but also not induce undue panic in the population.” Kanyarat says if the government were to set a target to stop publicizing numbers by April, then it would signal to the country that there is an end date to the public health crisis and that it was not a “forever war.” “Barring another variant that is more deadly, we will see the world emerge out of this shadow by the middle of this year.” https://www.thaienquirer.com/36572/thailand-should-stop-publicizing-covid-numbers-by-april/

The labor dilemmas that have have affected some western nations have now beset Thailand. From Bangkok Post Having endured the pandemic for the last two years, Thailand's workforce gradually changed over that period as many unemployed people started to run their own business or work as freelancers. More than a few companies are now lamenting they cannot find staff in time for a recovery. Migrant workers who were laid off moved back to their countries during the peak of the pandemic last year and have not returned to Thailand, partly because of enhanced border-crossing restrictions. Thailand is poised to enter a fifth wave of the pandemic, driven by the Omicron variant, sparking uncertainty over the labour force during the coming months. The labour shortage is a long-term concern and social scientists have been warning about it for years, fuelled by a decline in birth rates, an ageing population and now the pandemic. According to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the working age population in Thailand will continue to edge downward, from 43.2 million in 2020 to 36.5 million in 2040. A labour shortage has loomed over the tourism industry the past few years, but during the pandemic it was ignored because many places closed given the lack of foreign tourists, said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association. Hotel operators are now struggling to fill vacant posts as they reopen to tourists, said Mrs Marisa. She said hospitality companies operate successfully with a mix of younger and experienced employees, as hotel services require skilled workers who can meet company standards. However, tourism workers are reluctant to return to jobs that do not provide a secure future, said Mrs Marisa. "As the tourism situation remains fluid, 50% of those who were furloughed or laid off during the pandemic decided not to return," she said. "Even though we can attract a number of young applicants, this group often does not have sufficient qualifications, particularly English communication skills that generally remain pretty weak." Mrs Marisa said in addition to a shrinking young population because of a declining birth rate, the government should pay serious attention to the quality of education for students and young adults. Positions that require English skills, such as sales representatives and front receptionists, are the most sought-after jobs, she said. Many hotels have to offer a high salary to recruit employees with potential during the intense labour shortage. Most hotels also find it difficult to recruit back-office workers that require specific skill sets, such as engineers responsible for system maintenance and IT and digital tech officers, said Mrs Marisa. Thailand depends on migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, but their numbers declined during Covid-19 outbreaks, leading to a shortage of 486,000 legal labourers. Many of them returned to their countries during the pandemic and could not easily come back to work because of strict travel restrictions, he said. "Up to 70% of migrant workers are Myanmar nationals, which Thailand greatly depends on," said Mr Tanit. "Laotians tend not to work here because their government is promoting more investments, especially from Chinese investors. A similar tendency is happening with Cambodian workers." Labour scarcity, notably in labour-intensive industries, led to a call for the Thai government to sign memoranda of understanding (MoU) with neighbouring countries to import more workers. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2248547/demographic-doomsday

The height of the balcony railing plays a significant role in accidental falls. I've noticed that many older buildings, and even some newer ones, have balconies that don't meet recommended building code of 42 inches (107 cm). This photo illustrates a man leaning against a railing that appears to be constructed at the minimum recommended height. His center of gravity is well below the railing, minimizing accidental falls.

From Channel News Asia Hong Kong suspends transit flights from most of the world HONG KONG: Hong Kong will suspend for a month transit flights from about 150 countries and territories considered high risk because of the coronavirus, deepening the global financial hub's isolation. The move comes as the city has seen about 50 cases of the fast-spreading Omicron variant since the end of last year. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hong-kong-suspends-transit-flights-covid-19-omicron-2435456

One of the reasons for the short flights were in preparation for reintroducing the A380 into service between JFK and Frankfurt, with continuing service to Singapore sometime in March. From Travel and Leisure / Yahoo Singapore Airlines Is Bringing Back A380s Singapore Airlines' A380 aircraft is set to return to New York City for the first time in almost two years. Beginning March 2022, Singapore Airlines will fly from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Changi Airport via Frankfurt on their newly upgraded aircraft. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and lower passenger numbers, Singapore Airlines' A380s — the world's largest passenger aircraft — have not flown from the U.S since before the pandemic. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/singapore-airlines-bringing-back-a380s-110100228.html

(photo: Pattaya Mail) People who have tested positive using home antigen tests (most of whom who have mild or no symptoms) converge on Pattaya's Banglamung Hospital. Here they'll be assigned to a room in the hospital, in an isolation center, in a "hospitel", or told to recuperate at home. It's easy to see how hospitals are becoming rapidly overwhelmed with the current procedure. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/long-lines-of-covid-infected-wait-at-pattaya-hospital-for-quarantine-bed-386280

In recognition of Vinapu's generous contributions that have stirred us from our covid-induced malaise:

The Health Ministry today walked back dire predictions about Omicron, suggesting it might be time to lighten up on some restrictions. However, nothing was mentioned about "test-and-go" . https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2247663/govt-mulls-easing-virus-curbs

I flew the A380 with Qatar three times and enjoyed the smooth ride. It was a quiet aircraft with the luxury of space. Unfortunately, it was that size that, in the end, led to its downfall. In 2019, Lufthansa had retired 6 of its 14 A380s due to their unprofitability. Later that year Qatar Airways announced a switch from A380 to Boeing 777X starting from 2024. That sane year, Airbus announced it would end A380 production by 2021, after its main customer, Emirates, agreed to drop an order for 39 of the aircraft, replacing it with 40 A330-900s and 30 A350-900s. Then CEO Tom Enders said "If you have a product that nobody wants anymore, or you can sell only below production cost, you have to stop it." It should continue to be a good fit for carriers like Qatar and Emirates for several more years. Their great feeder routes from passenger-rich Europe work due to the advantage of geography. Beyond that, the smaller but fuel efficient A350 and Boeing 787 are the aircraft of choice along with newer versions of the A330 and Boeing 777.

From Coconuts Bangkok As if anything were free from scams, travelers to Thailand have been tricked into paying fees for what’s supposed to be a free process. The COVID-19 task force today took a break from its usual doomcasting to note reports of people paying “registration fees” for the Thailand Pass system, which has been suspended since late last month due to the nation’s latest wave of infections. “To reiterate again, there is no registration fee for Thailand Pass,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun said. “There have been reports of people asked illegally to pay registration fees. It is a service rendered free of charge.” When the system which facilitates travel from abroad for vaccinated travelers reopens, travelers should only apply via the official website rather than middlemen or agencies.

From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: United Overseas Bank (UOB) said on Friday (Jan 14) that it has agreed to buy Citigroup’s consumer banking businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for about S$4.915 billion. The proposed acquisition includes Citigroup's unsecured and secured lending portfolios, wealth management and retail deposit businesses in the four countries. "The acquisition ... is a great opportunity that comes at the right time. UOB believes in Southeast Asia’s long-term potential and we have been disciplined, selective and patient in seeking the right opportunities to grow," said Mr Wee Ee Cheong, deputy chairman and CEO of UOB. UOB will fund the purchase with excess capital. The total cash consideration will be calculated based on a premium of S$915 million, plus the net asset value of the consumer business as at completion. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/uob-buy-citigroup-consumer-businesses-4-countries-2434911 NOTE - UOB has locations in over 50 countries world wide.

From Pattaya Mail The Thai government is seeking to promote Muay Thai on the global stage as an instrument of soft power, instructing the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the private sector to organize boxing events in the Kingdom to promote Thai culture. Gen ThanwakomThipayachan, president of the World Muay Thai Alliance (WMA) and an advisor to the Minister of Culture, recently met with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss measures to boost the cultural value of Thai boxing at the local, domestic and international levels. Tourism and Sports Minister PhiphatRatchakitprakarn, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister DistatHotrakitya, and Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson ThanakornWangboonkongchana also took part in the discussion. During the meeting, Gen Thanwakom presented a report on guidelines and policies to further develop Thai boxing, which would help create jobs and generate income for people in the country while also promoting Thai martial arts on the global stage. The WMA president also proposed the creation of a platform covering all aspects of Muay Thai activities, including training, boxing competitions, Muay Thai studies and research, related equipment and venues, and Muay Thai exercises to promote health, especially among the elderly. The platform requires cooperation from all related ministries, while recommending that a Thai boxing festival be organized to promote Thai culture. This would in turn help revitalize the economy and bring in more revenue. The Prime Minister thanked the advisor for his proposal, saying he believes Thai boxing is an important form of soft power for Thailand since Thai boxing is often employed in global fighting events. Additionally, he instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to consult with relevant departments and work with private sector partners to organize a Muay Thai festival. Such an event would not only promote Thai boxing, but also other aspects of Thai culture such as clothing and food. It would also take into consideration the best strategies and plans for all parties to achieve maximum efficiency. (NNT) https://www.pattayamail.com/sports/pattayasports/thailand-to-promote-muay-thai-as-soft-power-on-global-stage-385928

From Thai Enquirer Thai authorities defend deserted airport terminal in Phetchabun Photo credit: Thailand Infrastructure The Department of Airports responded to social media complaints on Thursday over the new vacant terminal building at Phetchabun Airport, 400 kilometers north of Bangkok. They said the terminal will reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides. Earlier this week, the Facebook page, Thailand Infrastructure, questioned why the government opted to build a new terminal building instead of renovating the existing one. The post drew plenty of netizens’ comments that the terminal is a waste of money. The Phetchabun Airport opened in the year 2000. But it has not operated any commercial flights since late 2018, while construction on the new terminal began in 2019. Today, Phetchabun Airport is open for non-commercial charters, such as official flights, training flights, and private flights, the department added. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36512/thai-authorities-defend-deserted-airport-terminal-in-phetchabun/ ================================== From Richard Barrow Twtter site: Today is National Aviation Day (วันการบินแห่งชาติ) in #Thailand. Did you know, Bangkok had two landing strips on the Chao Phraya River for flying boats? First in Khlong Toei and then later in Nonthaburi. The British owned Imperial Airways used to land here in the 1930’s. NOTE - Imperial became part of BOAC in 1939 ==================================== Once one of the the truly great long-haul carriers, in the course of three years Chinese authorities have transformed it into a mere shadow of itself. Here's the latest effort. From Bangkok Post Cathay Pacific to suspend transit travellers from high-risk areas HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Thursday that transfer and transit services at Hong Kong International Airport will be banned to passengers coming from places deemed at high risk of coronavirus from midnight on Jan 16 until Feb 15. High-risk places including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Japan. Passengers on flights arriving from cities in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan may continue to connect to onward flights, the airline said in a statement on its website, saying the measure is in response to the rising number of cases driven by the Omicron coronavirus variant around the world. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2247071/cathay-pacific-to-suspend-transit-travellers-from-high-risk-places-from-jan-16

According to Richard Barrow, Phuket's now receiving about 4,000 applications a day since Test and Go was suspended.

From Pattaya News A 64-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead last night (January 11th) after falling from a condominium in Jomtien. Captian Sanan Kotanon from the Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident at 9:00 P.M. at a condominium in Soi 7 Jomtien. The name of the condominium was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. Police, emergency responders, and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the body of the foreign man who was identified by police as a 64-year-old Norwegian. He had landed on an awning on the 2nd floor. His name was withheld by TPN media pending notification of his family and embassy expected to be later this morning. He was found shirtless and wearing only shorts. He had suffered severe skull injuries and three cut wounds were found on his left wrist, likely inflicted before the fall according to police. According to Captain Sanan, the man lived alone on the 5th floor of the condominium. No signs of a struggle or other occupants were found in the room. A box cutter was found on the bed. No notes were found in the room. A 72-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead (January 7th) after falling from a central Pattaya condominium. The incident took place just before midnight in Central Pattaya on the 16th floor of a well-known local condominium and was responded to by Pattaya Police Col. Kulchat Kulchai, Sawang Boriboon rescue services, and TPN media. The name of the condo was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. A Russian man was found dead after he apparently jumped from the Pattaya City Police Station early this morning (January 5th), 2022. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident just past 2:00 A.M. near a power pole and exchange booth directly in front of the Pattaya City Police Station on Soi 9 on Beach Road. They and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a deceased male who was identified by police as a Russian male national, aged 38, lying on the ground with severe injuries from his fall. https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/05/russian-man-found-dead-after-apparently-jumping-from-the-pattaya-police-station-roof-overnight/

From Bangkok Post The Tourism and Sports Ministry promotion plan for 2022 will be themed "Amazing Thailand New Chapter", introducing new selling points from January and collecting a 300-baht entry fee from foreign tourists from April, government spokesman Thanakorn Boonkongwanchana said on Wednesday. The plan includes promotion of "white routes" for tourists in line with a bio-, circular and green economic development strategy for more sustainable and safe tourism, Mr Thanakorn said. Also under the plan, from the start of the second quarter, April, an "entry fee" of 300 baht would be collected from foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, the spokesman said. The 300 baht fee would be used to develop tourist attractions and for accident or death insurance for all tourists. The maximum insurance payout would be 1 million baht in the case of death and 500,000 baht for medical expenses. The charge would be included in air fares. The means of collecting the entry fee from people arriving by land was still being considered. According to Mr Thanakorn, the Tourism and Sports Ministry expected revenue from tourism this year of 1.3-1.8 trillion baht, from 5-15 million foreign tourists. He said if tourists were mainly from Europe or the United States, arrivals were estimated at 5 million this year. This would rise to about 7 million if tourists also came from India. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2246355/thailand-to-launch-new-chapter-of-tourism

From Richard Barrow Twitter site If you want to take part in the Phuket Sandbox, you must book a direct flight to Phuket. You cannot transit in Bangkok. However, if you want to go to Samui, you can transfer to a domestic flight in Bangkok, but you must have booked one ticket for the entire flight.