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From The Star PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Ministry of Tourism will meet with the private sector on Thursday (May 27) to discuss the future of package tours in post-Covid Cambodia, one of the components of tentative government plans to resuscitate the tourism industry in the fourth quarter of this year. A virtual closed-door meeting on Monday (May 24), led by minister Thong Khon, set out key action plans that include preparations for the gradual reopening of tourism in October-December, with an initial focus on the Angkor area in Siem Reap province. In pursuit of rebuilding trust and confidence in travellers, another proposal would allow international tourists from low-risk countries and territories who have been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus to enter the Kingdom with little or no quarantine stay. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/05/26/cambodia039s-tourism-players-to-meet-on-future-package-tours

From Bangkok Post Vaccine chaos: registration through app suspended The government plans to suspend registration for Covid-19 vaccinations through its Mor Prom online platform to forestall a bottleneck, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Wednesday that the Mor Prom platform previously covered registration for vaccinations, follow-ups on the first and second jabs, side effects and vaccination certification. Amid increasing confusion, he said registration was now excluded from the Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) app. That platform will now handle vaccination follow-ups and certification only. Earlier the government announced that the general public would be allowed to register through Mor Prom. But in a sudden about-turn, Dr Taweesilp said provincial authorities should have their own vaccination registration systems like those of Bangkok, Phuket and Nonthaburi to serve the large numbers of registrants in their areas. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2122039/vaccine-registration-through-app-suspended ======================================= From The Thaiger Government may miss vaccination target due to supply issues The Thai government is being warned that ongoing issues with Covid-19 vaccine supply may cause it to miss its target of obtaining 10 million doses in June. The Federation of Thai Industries says the supply problems will impact the country’s vaccination rollout and is calling on the government to accelerate the process by allowing private companies to import doses from a variety of manufacturers. It adds that choice is important, given the risk of new variants. The FTI’s warning comes after a number of hospitals confirmed they are suspending inoculation with the AstraZeneca vaccine as they are running out of doses or have already run out. The Public Health Minister has responded to supply concerns by insisting that additional doses will be delivered in time for the rollout to commence on June 7. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thai-industry-body-says-government-may-miss-vaccination-target-due-to-supply-issues

Who knows when any of us will have an opportunity to do this, but the photos and just the thought of it I find enticing. From The Daily Mail How heading for the river's upper reaches to unspoiled Laos will make you feel more like an explorer than a tourist Small, old colonial-style Sabaidee Pandaw is one of only a handful of boutique boats on the Upper Mekong By Caroline Hendrie For The Mail On Sunday The mighty Mekong conjures up images of the busy thoroughfare from its delta in Vietnam to Cambodia – the route taken by most river cruises in South-East Asia. It shows off Old Saigon, the royal palace in Phnom Penn and the astounding 'lost city' of Angkor Wat. But there is another way to cruise the Mekong: from the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand, through the mountain gorges and jungle of land-locked Laos, and on to its capital, Vientiane. Small, old colonial-style Sabaidee Pandaw is one of only a handful of boutique boats on the Upper Mekong, which makes every passenger feel like a true pioneer. Here are six reasons to choose a cruise aboard this boat on the Upper Mekong in Laos. Your first glimpse of Laos is from a hilltop near the Thai city of Chiang Saen, where Sabaidee Pandaw is moored. The view is of the Golden Triangle, the mountainous region where Northern Thailand meets Laos and Burma. In the distance, orange roofs of new casinos rise from the forest on the Burmese side. Views over Luang Prabang, Laos's laid-back former capital. Here a refreshing glass of nutty cold-drip coffee in riverside Saffron cafe is one of the highlights Continues with photos https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/escape/article-9582195/Heading-Mekongs-upper-reaches-boutique-boat-discover-unspoiled-Laos.html

From Channel News Agency Vaccine hesitancy grows ahead of Thailand's mass inoculation rollout Thailand has reported 135,439 infections and 832 deaths since the pandemic began last year. In January, 83 per cent of Thais surveyed by polling firm YouGov were willing to be vaccinated, but by May that dropped to 63 per cent in the same poll, lower than Vietnam and the Philippines at 83 per cent and 66 per cent willingness, respectively. Thai-based Suan Dusit Poll on Sunday (May 23) echoed the YouGov findings of rising vaccine hesitancy, with 64 per cent of respondents willing to be vaccinated, compared with 66 per cent in January. Dissatisfaction with the military-backed government's vaccine strategy has been building for months. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-covid-19-mass-inoculation-rollout-vaccine-hesitancy-14882232

From Channel News Asia Thailand to extend interval of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses to 16 weeks BANGKOK: Thailand will extend the gap between the first and second doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to 16 weeks, in an effort to inoculate more people faster, a senior health official said on Monday (May 24). The plan follows a similar decision by Spain to stretch the gap between two AstraZeneca doses to 16 weeks, which is beyond the 12 weeks maximum interval approved by the European Medicines Agency. A 16-week interval has not been tested in human trials. Thailand's change, from a 10-week gap previously, comes ahead of the planned start of a mass immunisation campaign from June, for which AstraZeneca's vaccine will be the main one used. "This is to increase the number of people who get vaccinated," Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary of the health ministry, told Reuters, adding it would help create herd immunity faster. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-extend-dose-interval-astrazeneca-covid-19-16-weeks-14877530

From Redditt Brazil: Police are looking for a "serial killer" in southern Brazil accused of murdering homosexuals. Three were killed and one survived The Homicide and Personal Protection Division (DHPP) said last Monday (May 17) that José Tiago Correia Soroka, suspected of killing three men, two of them in Curitiba, is a serial killer. Police said they identified the suspect through a victim, who survived. According to DHPP, the man did not have sexual intercourse with the wounds. José Tiago is a fugitive in Paraná and also in Santa Catarina. For DHPP, he is considered a serial killer and has a psychopathic profile. “He has a serial killer profile, with psychological problems. We need to get him out of circulation as soon as possible, as he is killing an average of one person a week. We really want to alert the gay group, ”said Chief Constable Thiago Nóbrega. GAY MEN ARE TARGETS According to DHPP, the police managed to reach José Tiago from a victim who survived. According to the police, the crime took place on May 11, in Bigorrilho, and the boy was important in the investigations. The profile of the victims was always that of young gay men, who lived alone. José Tiago, according to DHPP, scheduled meetings using relationship apps and, when he arrived, he waited for the right moment to act. “He was the same way for 30 days, always with homosexuals. He goes to the victims' house and takes the person off guard there, gives him a lion kill, smothers him with a pillow or cover and takes the victim's belongings after the murder, ”explained delegate Camila Cecconello. DHPP has not yet been able to find the suspect and asks that a population, in addition to reporting, take care of the meetings through applications. “This killer is still on the loose, so we ask people to be careful and, if they make an appointment, choose public places. We are dealing with a serial killer, a serial killer ”, warned Camila. PROFILE According to the police, José Tiago is from Palmas, in southern Paraná, and spends his childhood in Abelardo Luz, in Santa Catarina, where he killed one of the boys. Currently, the suspect lived in Almirante Tamandaré, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba (RMC). He quit his job in March. The police found that José Tiago has two children. He has a steal in 2015 and 2019, and also a protective measure by an ex-girlfriend. some characteristics of the victims. They were homosexuals, in good financial shape and lived alone. According to police chief Thiago Nóbrega, from the Homicide and Personal Protection Division (DHPP), the suspect's discovery was made possible after a complaint reached the police on May 11 A possible fourth victim of Soroka, an architect living in Curitiba, would have escaped from a rear naked choke that the serial killer tried to apply. Nóbrega said that Soroka arrived at the apartment politely and asked the victim to take off her clothes. When his back was turned, Nóbrega was surprised by Soroka who tried to strangle him. But, being strong, he managed to fight and survive. The LGBTI + National Alliance also follows up the investigations and highlighted the characteristics of homophobia crime. Last Monday (10), the group released a manual to prevent cases of LGBTIphobic violence. Among the 11 tips, the group advises to avoid meetings scheduled by applications that do not require user authentication. Along with the photos, the police also released videos of security cameras showing the suspect entering or leaving the buildings where the victims lived.

When I read a headline like this ("Govt says tourism industry may not recover until 2026") in today's Bangkok Post, I'm reminded that no one can accurately foresee what's actually going to happen. After reading through the article, one thing is clear: Thailand's reopening (in the context of interest to gay tourists) is almost solely dependent on whether it can succeed in vaccinating a critical mass of its residents before year's end. Failure to achieve that goal will have a domino effect that could not only dash our hopes of returning but force millions of its own citizens deeper into poverty than many already are at this moment. The Thai media is alive with conflicting reports how the war against the virus is proceeding and how or when expats will receive vaccines. Private hospitals and the government are in disagreement on details. No one can say for sure when. As described in other posts, in-fighting within governmental bureaucracies are hindering the vaccination efforts. The objections are often politically motivated but they all have two things in common: all of the objectors have political influence and good-paying and secure jobs. All out-of-work Thais have neither.

As PeterRS predicted, the Travel Gay website (formerly "Travel Gay Asia") confirms that Babylon will not be reopening. https://www.travelgay.com/bangkok-gay-saunas/ The term "end of an era" was applied in the past to the demise of Soi Twilight and, IMO, justifiably. Babylon's exit from the Thai scene is a like event. So many readers of this forum were former patrons. And if you were a visitor in the days described above, you must have some fond memories. I don't think the Bangkok gay scene could survive losing the venues in Patpong 2. At least not survive in the sense that it was such a bright and vital drawing card as it was in 2019. Most of us had a favorite but Lucky Boys was ground zero for the biggest show, stage and number of guys who'd fill that stage nightly. Sure, Moonlight had more than its share of the best lookers, but remembering that rotation of 6-8 rows of Thai, Cambodian, Viet and Lao guys, Lucky Boys still sets the standard for me. Have to think positive because I don't dare contemplate the negative.

From The Nation Wang Thong Lang police officers on Saturday night arrested about 60 employees and visitors at Faros Sauna in Bangkoks Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21 for allegedly violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)s announcement. The raid was conducted after people in the area informed police that the sauna was allegedly used for drugs and could spread Covid-19. Police reportedly found packs of methamphetamine, a narcotic drug, a syringe and used condoms in the area, while 14 of about 60 employees and visitors reportedly admitted to using drugs. "Investigation officials would interrogate and check for drug substance on employees, visitors and Jinna Kritjinda, 63, who claimed to be the sauna owner," said Pol Colonel Ekkaphop Tanprasert, superintendent of Wang Thong Lang Police Station. "Initially, they will be charged wirh violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and BMA's announcement, while those who used drugs would face additional charges under narcotic laws." The police added that Jinna was also an owner of an entertainment venue on Pradiphat Soi 19. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001203

Thai modern history reflects the issues raised in the two posts above. But as you look deeper, it's also about the fracture between the the ruling class of elites who control the nation's commercial, legislative, executive, judicial and military and members of the peasant and working classes who comprise the vast majority of the nation's citizenry (aka: yellow shirts vs red shirts). The Thai Enquirer continues it series with the event that took place seven years ago today: A Brief Oral History of the 2014 Military Coup Seven years ago, today, Thailand’s army launched yet another military coup. Once again toppling a democratically elected government, the Royal Thai Army under the leadership of General Prayut Chan-ocha said that they had to take power to restore peace and stability to the kingdom. The following is a brief oral history of the events that transpired on May 22, 2020 from the leaders of Thai society both then and now. Part 1: A Coup on the Horizon For months leading up to the coup, Thailand’s political scene was deadlocked between anti-government protesters and the Yingluck Shinawatra government. The protesters had initially come out onto the streets in November of 2013 to oppose an Amnesty Bill which would have forgiven all political players of any previous crimes, paving the way for the return of Yingluck’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin had been in exile since a previous military coup overthrew him in 2006. A group calling themselves the People’s Democratic Reform Committee led the protests. Headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and a group of core leaders, they opposed the Amnesty Bill. Even though the government relented and backtracked on the bill, the protests continued. Akanat Promphan (Former Democrat MP and PDRC core leader): The PDRC was a people’s movement. We wanted to reform and have a revolution by the people. In order to make that happen, we had to show a symbolic force. We believe that a show of force would be necessary to make the government make changes. We wanted a period of reform before the election. The demonstrations started off because people wanted to show that they didn’t want the Amnesty Bill but as the demonstrations progressed, we realized that this was not the end of all of the problems. What Thailand needed was a major overhaul, we wanted reform. It needed to take place immediately. We did not trust politicians with power, they were not genuine about changing. We needed a people’s parliament to carry out the reform. The Senate would appoint an interim government. The interim government would handpick the people’s parliament to oversee the changes. Arun Saronchai (Journalist for Anadolu News Agency): It was bullshit. What they wanted was a “people’s revolution” where the people were effectively cut out. They wanted to appoint a non-accountable body to carry out reforms and put politicians on public trial. It is like these people never opened a textbook or read about the French Revolution. It was very ‘reign of terror.’ To make matters worse, the protesters were singing songs from Les Miserables, while marching and holding pictures of the king. My irony meter died that year. Continues with Parts 2, 3 and 4 https://www.thaienquirer.com/13394/a-brief-oral-history-of-the-2014-military-coup/

From The Thai Enquirer Opinion: Remember when the PAD wanted to close the country’s border? By Cod Satrusayang After the 2006 military coup that sent Thaksin Shinawatra into exile, the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy argued for closing the country’s borders in response to international criticism. The country, the PAD argued, needed to shut its doors to foreigners while it cleaned house and eradicated the scourge of Thaksinomics and those that were disloyal to the crown. Many people scoffed at the idea but hardcore PAD supporters held onto the notion with many of these same arguments surfacing again during the People’s Democratic Reform Council protest in 2013/14 – the same protest that led to the Prayut Chan-ocha coup. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, we finally have an inkling of what it would look like to shut down the country’s border. In short, economic disaster. Without tourism and international trade, our industries and services sector has withered. Our GDP contracted by its largest margin ever in 2020 fueled mainly by shut borders and a lack of international arrivals. What must be said is that the brain trust of the PDRC and the PAD that argued for shutting borders wanted to subject our country to these economic ravages willingly in the facile hope of “cleaning house” and “reeducating the population.” Think of the economic suffering that we are witnessing currently because of this pandemic. Think of the spiking suicide rates, the families falling below the poverty line, the countless hospitality jobs lost, the countless businesses closed, because of our country closing its borders to fight the pandemic. Now imagine a group of people so hellbent on ideological zealotry that they would subject the country to these ills voluntarily. Perhaps it is time that we as a collective whole unsubscribe from the dogmatic pursuit of purity demanded by those so loyal to the cultural and political institutions that demands such zealotry. Thailand must evolve into a 21st century country. Our situation demands it, our people demands it and our collective future demands it. We are situated on the Southeast Asian crossroads, caught between competing superpowers and ideologies. We cannot afford to cling so steadfastly to the past without considerations for the future. While it is important to understand where we come from, it cannot dominate our future so thoroughly that it undermines our progress. There are people who would tell you that being Thai means relinquishing all identity but those that are subservient to the feudal system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few. Those are the same people that would have so willingly led us to our destruction. It is time we move away from dogmatic beliefs and allow pluralism, debate, introspection and, yes, questioning of what it means to be Thai. Until we do that, until we allow that, we will always be on the bring of self-destruction. And we will be led by people who think that through privilege and access, that they know better than the rest of us. https://www.thaienquirer.com/27785/opinion-remember-when-the-pad-wanted-to-close-the-countrys-border/

From Bangkok Post HANOI: As an LGBTQ activist, legal whizz-kid and Vietnam's first openly gay candidate running for a seat in its rubber-stamp parliament, Luong The Huy is determined to lead long-lasting change for the country's marginalised communities. Huy, 32, is one of just nine independent candidates running for Vietnam's National Assembly in elections to be held across the country on Sunday and wants to boost the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, who have long felt discrimination. But getting his name on the ballot in the communist, one-party state was no simple task. At the last elections five years ago, more than 100 independent candidates -- including dissidents, a taxi driver and a pop star -- tried to run, but just a handful made it through the gruelling selection process. Now that he's made it this far, he's clear about what he wants to achieve. "I want people's voices to be heard," Huy told AFP, sitting in his Hanoi office beside a framed poster bearing the slogan "Human rights are for everyone". Huy, who is currently director of Vietnamese NGO iSEE, which aims to empower minority groups to protect and promote their rights, has been campaigning for a decade to improve the lives of the Vietnamese LGBTQ community. He once addressed a session of the UN Human Rights Council and was listed by Forbes as one of the 30 most inspiring people under the age of 30 in Vietnam. But despite studying law -- Huy got a scholarship from the US's Fulbright Program to study at the University of California -- he says he has struggled to bring policy to the people who matter in Vietnam's opaque governmental system. "If I'm a member of the National Assembly, that path will be shorter, easier and more convenient for the community groups we serve," he said. Vietnam is seen as relatively progressive on LGBTQ issues compared with some other countries in Asia. But although the country lifted its ban on same-sex marriage in 2015, it stopped short of full legal recognition for those unions, and a long-promised transgender law to allow legal gender changes has not yet materialised. In schools, misinformation about sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread and some children are taught by both teachers and parents that being gay is a mental illness, according to a Human Rights Watch report published last year. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/2119567/vietnams-first-openly-gay-candidate-seeks-change-with-parliament-run

From The Nation Expats can register for Covid jab from June 7 Foreigners living in Thailand can register for their Covid-19 jab at the nearest vaccination station from June 7 onwards, Natapanu Noppakun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry’s Information Department tweeted on Friday. "To register, they can use either their passport or social security number at hospitals that have their medical records or at hospitals designated by the Public Health Ministry,” he said. Vaccination for different groups of foreigners is as follows: Diplomats, international organisations and their families Around 7,000 names collected by the Foreign Ministry will be sent to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). This group can get vaccinated at their hospital, or at 2-3 designated hospitals for those who do not have health records. Foreign government agencies May register staff for vaccination with the Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs. Foreign nationals married to Thai nationals/family members of Thai nationals / retirees in Thailand / business people/foreign investors in Bangkok Bangkok: On-site registration at vaccination centres under the Council of University Presidents of Thailand. Other provinces: The Public Health Ministry will allocate vaccines to local vaccination centres and foreign nationals may register at hospitals with their health records. Foreign students The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation will arrange for their vaccination under the Council of University Presidents of Thailand. Migrant workers The Social Security Office will coordinate with employers on vaccination for this group. Thai students planning to study abroad Register online with the Department of Consular Affairs. Chulalongkorn University will arrange for this group's vaccination on June 3-4. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001143 ============================================== COVID UPDATE (21 March) -- There have been 3,481 new infections announced today and 32 Covid-related deaths in the past 24 hours. 951 of today’s new cases come from Thailand’s prisons. STATE OF EMERGENCY UPDATE -- Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is proposing an extension of the nationwide Emergency Decree for another 2 months. At a meeting today, the CCSA and Public Health Ministry noted that it may take until the end of July to bring the latest Covid wave under control. The last declaration of a State of Emergency has been in place since March 2020 and was set to expire at the end of May as the government can only declare the status for up to 3 months at a time.

Form the BBC The Venezuelans fleeing to Colombia to avoid fighting Thousands of Venezuelans have fled their country in the past month. They are running away from intense armed clashes which involve Venezuela’s army and Colombia’s rebel groups. Refugees say they were pushed out of their homes by the military and describe human rights abuses, disappearances and home break-ins. A prominent Colombian guerrilla fighter, Jesus Santrich, was killed on Tuesday in Venezuelan territory as part of the ongoing conflict. The BBC’s Daniel Pardo travelled to Arauquita, a small town on the Colombian side that is hosting the refugees who escape the fighting. Continues with video https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-latin-america-57178193

From MSN / AP China vaccinates its people in Thailand BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese citizens living in Thailand began being vaccinated on Thursday as part of China's global campaign to inoculate its nationals living and working abroad. China recently donated 500,000 vaccine doses, and Thailand agreed in turn to inoculate Chinese nationals as it slowly rolls out shots for its own citizens to contain a coronavirus surge that has sickened tens of thousands in the past two months. Yang Xin, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, said Beijing's “Spring Sprout” program would benefit tens of thousands of Chinese in the country. An estimated 150,000 Chinese citizens live in Thailand. China has so far supplied millions of vaccine doses to the country, most of which Thailand purchased. The Thai government has said it will vaccinate Thais before inoculating most other foreigners, regardless of risk factors or age. In downtown Bangkok, a Chinese volunteer with a white mask, transparent shield and blue gloves stood in front of a red banner reading “Spring Sprout Action” flanked by the flags of China and Thailand at a vaccination center. Groups representing Americans living in Thailand sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week asking the government to supply some of the millions of unused vaccine doses available in the U.S. to inoculate American citizens in Thailand. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-in-global-campaign-vaccinates-its-people-in-thailand/ar-AAKbBB3

From Channel News Asia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported a record of 6,806 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday (May 20), as the country continues to battle a third wave of infections. This is the second consecutive day that Malaysia has logged record numbers of daily cases since the pandemic began. On Wednesday, the country saw 6,075 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since Jan 30. Of the 6,806 infections reported on Thursday, 2,277 cases were from Selangor and 615 cases from Johor. Kuala Lumpur saw 655 new cases, the health ministry said. There were also a record 59 fatalities, bringing the national death toll to 2,099. This is the fourth time Malaysia has logged record daily numbers for COVID-19 deaths in less than two weeks, surpassing the previous high of 47 deaths on May 18. As of Thursday, Malaysia's tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 492,302, of which 50,171 are active or infectious. There are 587 patients in the intensive care unit. Health authorities in recent days have implored members of the public to stay at home and minimise non-essential activities. On Wednesday night, the Health Ministry posted a tweet, urging residents to conduct their own "self lockdown". Measures include not inviting guests to their homes and only heading out to buy groceries once a week. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-covid19-record-high-daily-2nd-consecutive-day-6806-14848562

From The Thaiger 70% of people to have first dose of Covid-19 vaccine by September By September, 70% of the population in Thailand is expected to have received at least their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. An accelerated rollout of vaccines is expected to takeoff next month when the locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine is ready for public use. Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the government will focus on administering the first shot to the majority of the populations within the next 3 to 4 months and assures the public that doses will be available for a second shot. As of yesterday, just over 1.5 million people had received their first dose of the vaccine while 819,961 people were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The population of Thailand is around 70 million people. In a previous statement, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Thai government aims to vaccinate 50 million people by the end of the year. Many have criticised the Thai government for being too slow on its nationwide vaccination programme, saying they relied too heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being produced locally by Siam Bioscience.

From South China Morning Post Socially-conservative Singapore on Wednesday said it “noted with regret” that the US embassy in the city state had co-hosted a webinar with a local LGBT support group earlier this week. Multi-ethnic Singapore has strict laws regulating public assembly. Foreigners are prohibited from taking part in events dealing with a political cause. “Ministry of foreign affairs has reminded the US Embassy that foreign missions here are not to interfere in our domestic social and political matters, including issues such as how sexual orientation should be dealt with in public policy,” it said in a statement. “These are choices for only Singaporeans to debate and decide.” The May 17 webinar marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia and focused on the economic advantages of LGBTQI+ equality and inclusion around the world, the US embassy in Singapore said. “The US Embassy regularly works with civil society partners on a wide range of issues to build awareness and advance the human rights of all persons,” it added. The event was co-hosted with support group Oogachaga. Under a rare colonial-era law, Section 377A of the penal code, sex between men is punishable by up to two years in jail, though prosecutions are rare. Previous attempts to overturn the legislation have failed. The episode comes ahead of this year’s edition of Pink Dot Sg – Singapore’s main lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) affirming rally. The June 13 event, now in its 13th year and which has previously drawn crowds of over 20,000 people, will be online-only for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous in-person editions took place at Hong Lim Park, the republic’s sole free-speech zone. Amid the rise in Pink Dot’s stature, the government in 2017 imposed restrictions on foreign participation, with non-citizens barred from taking part in the rally. Foreign companies like Facebook, JP Morgan and Google which had previously been sponsoring the event were also told not to do so. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loonghad previously said he was prepared to live with the “uneasy compromise” of living with Section 377A “until social attitudes change”. Along with the retention of Section 377A, which the government says it retains on the books for “symbolic” purposes but will not enforce, LGBTQ people in Singapore say they are disadvantaged by certain policies aimed at incentivising heterosexual marriage and childbearing. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3134091/singapore-warns-us-embassy-over-webinar-lgbt-group .

This quote stayed with me: "I hope this frees me so that I can experience real, unadulterated joy, so that I can experience peace, so that I can experience intimacy, so that I can have sex without shame. This is for me. I’m doing this for me. I have too much shit to do, and I don’t have any fear about it anymore." At one time or another, I think we've all been there. It's our common denominator, and one we're frequently prone to forget.

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is expected to receive 31 million COVID-19 vaccine doses developed by US-based firm Pfizer in the second half of 2021, said the Ministry of Health (MoH). The MoH and relevant agencies have taken measures to accelerate negotiations towards signing an agreement to purchase the vaccine. According to Health Minister Nguyễn Thanh Long, the ministry has coordinated with the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Justice, to consult Cabinet members on the purchase of the Pfizer vaccine, and prepare to sign an agreement for 31 million doses as soon as possible. The MoH has also negotiated with many COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Gamelaya with the goal of having enough COVID-19 vaccines to serve the country. It is also working with foreign partners on the transfer of vaccine production technology. Currently, four Vietnamese vaccines are under development, produced by Nagogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech) and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac). — VNS https://vietnamnews.vn/society/952066/viet-nam-to-purchase-31-million-pfizer-vaccine-doses.html

From Bloomberg News Thai Airways International Pcl’s creditors approved the airline’s debt restructuring plan, paving the way for payment extension and unpaid interest waiver on at least 170 billion baht ($5.41 billion) of its debt. The plan was backed by 91% of creditors at an online meeting, Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok, the airline’s legal adviser, said by phone on Wednesday. Five people have been appointed as its administrators including acting Chief Executive Officer Chansin Treenuchagron and former CEO Piyasvasti Amranandthe, Thai Airways said in a statement after the meeting. The airline in March proposed a three-year freeze on loan payments and a deferment of bond repayments for six years. To help it return to profitability after posting a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, Bangkok-based Thai Air also plans to cut its workforce by half, sell property and is seeking to raise 50 billion baht in new capital. The issues faced by the airline have become more acute as the country has been hit by its deadliest outbreak of the coronavirus so far. Thailand this week slashed its growth outlook for this year, citing a delay in reopening borders to foreign tourists and slow vaccination. New cases reached a record this week, prompting a government’s plan for additional borrowing of 700 billion baht to fund new stimulus. While Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha has rejected calls to extend direct financial support to Thai Air, the finance ministry as the airline’s largest shareholder has pledged its support for the restructuring plan. A lack of government support may make it difficult for Thai Air to survive the current slump in global aviation, according to Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consulting firm Endau Analytics. “I don’t think any national carriers in this region can survive without significant government support as well as 3-4 years extension to their aircraft leases,” Yusof said. “The flare up in infections is certainly working against the creditors too. The longer the pandemic goes the less chance creditors and lessors have of getting their money back.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-19/thai-air-gets-creditors-approval-for-debt-restructuring-plan-kov5c9t7

Everywhere you look, signs of a self-inflicted crisis are evident. The crowded conditions in migrant worker camps were identified more than a year ago as major breeding grounds for new infections yet little or nothing was done. In one location, infections were linked to having to deposit coins to gain access to a public toilet. From the Thai Enquirer Infighting between the public health ministry and the BMA is slowing Thailand’s Covid response Disagreements and infighting between the Ministry of Public Health and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has intensified in recent days as both try to charter a course out of the current Covid crisis, sources told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday. The third wave of the pandemic continues unchecked in Thailand as the total number of people infected since April 1 approaches 100,000. Bangkok continues to be worst hit area in the country with high daily infection rates that have not gone down despite lockdown measures imposed by the local and national government. Now, sources within the public health ministry and inside parliament tell Thai Enquirer that disagreements between the two largest organizations responsible for managing the situation in Bangkok are threatening the capital’s recovery. “The governor’s office have basically told the MoPH that Bangkok is their jurisdiction and to butt out,” said a senior advisor to the Ministry of Public Health. “They have their own health advisors and are charting their own path – a path which is sometimes at odds with the ministry’s guideline.” One such example is the decision by the governor to only focus vaccinations initially on outbreak sites. According to the source within the MOPH, the rate of vaccination inside the capital is actually slower than other outbreak sites like Samut Sakhon and Rayong because of the BMA’s mismanagement. “I think the governor and his team think that this is a public relations opportunity and are putting their name on every billboard at vaccination sites or proudly proclaiming their covid success,” said the source. “It is tone deaf.” “We are facing the worst part of the crisis right now and Bangkok is at the epicenter,” said the MP from Bangkok. “If the two most relevant government agencies can’t even see eye-to-eye and work together then what hope does the country have?” “Right now speed is of the essence but this fight for who gets to take credit is actually costing us time and lives.” https://www.thaienquirer.com/27671/infighting-between-the-public-health-ministry-and-the-bma-is-slowing-thailands-covid-response/ =========================================== From Bangkok Post Construction camps major cause for concern Bangkok has five new Covid-19 clusters, raising the total to 34, health authorities announced on Wednesday. Unhygienic construction camps, many housing more than 1,000 workers, are a major cause of concern. Situation Administration, said the new clusters were at Bang Kapi market, a construction workers' camp in Bang Kholaem district, an ice factory in Chatuchak district, a construction workers' camp of Italian-Thai Development Plc in Don Muang district, and a cargo warehouse in Bang Sue district. "There are concerns about construction workers' camps, which exist in all 50 districts of Bangkok. Some districts have more than 20 camps each, including Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Lat Phrao and Huai Khwang," she said. Dr Apisamai said some camps housed more than 1,000 workers. One camp in Bang Khoaem had 1,374 workers. There were seven construction camps in the district. "In some camps, workers share buckets and cups of drinking water. They must be informed that cannot be allowed. In addition, transport to and from the camps of infected workers must be restricted, to prevent disease transmission to other camps," Dr Apisamai said. ======================================== From the Thaiger / Thai PBS Restroom turnstile linked to hundreds of Covid infections at Pathum Thani market The turnstile at a public restroom is said to be linked to hundreds of Covid-19 infections at a Pathum Thani produce market, just north of Bangkok. Health officials tested 10,480 vendors and workers at the Simmummuang fruit and vegetable market and say 867 tested positive with many believed to have contracted the virus by inserting coins in the slot and touching the gate before using the public toilets at the market. The market is sectioned off into 10 zones, with 2 of them closed off following the outbreak while the other 8 zones remain open. A field hospital has been set up in the closed section of the market to house 400 Covid-19 patients. Another field hospital with 400 beds is being set up and planned to open tomorrow. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/restroom-turnstile-linked-to-hundreds-of-covid-infections-at-pathum-thani-market

From the BBC We earlier posted on reports that Palestinian rockets launched into southern Israel had struck a packaging factory in the Eshkol region and killed two Thai workers. Thailand's foreign ministry has now confirmed that two of its citizens died - while eight others were wounded - in the attack at 14:50 local time (11:50 GMT) some 14km (about nine miles) from the border with Gaza. The two Thai men had been working at the Obad farming estate in Eshkol town, the ministry said. One eyewitness, Adirek Jinseng, a Thai worker at the estate, told the BBC's Thai service that the attack happened as people were resting during their lunch break. "I heard two explosions in the sky, but there was no warning siren. More than 10 workers then rushed... to hide in the bunkers," Adirek said, adding that he saw one person killed at the scene and several others with serious injuries. A senior Thai diplomat in Israel told the BBC that around 4,000 of the country's citizens had been working within a 100km radius of Gaza. Some were relocated to safer areas over the weekend.

From AFP Thailand Multiple online posts have shared a claim that Thai citizens can get inoculated against Covid-19 with their vaccine of choice when they visit as tourists in neighbouring Laos. This claim is false: as of May 18, 2021 foreign tourists were not permitted to enter Laos; the country only administers the Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to those eligible for jabs. The Thai-language claim was shared in this Facebook post on May 3, 2021. It reads in part: “Whoever wishes to get a Pfizer jab abroad but has insufficient funds to travel far, you can try to go to Laos. “They see how Thai nationals don’t want to take Sinovac, but the Thai government refuses to import Pfizer, so they announced that tourists are able to receive free vaccinations in Laos, with a choice of Pfizer, Astra [Zeneca] Sputnik and Sinopharm.” The misleading post links to a registration page for Covid-19 vaccination run by the Laos Ministry of Health. https://factcheck.afp.com/online-posts-falsely-claim-thai-tourists-get-free-covid-19-vaccines-neighbouring-laos

From Reuters By Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Thomson Reuters Foundation * Lockdown seen fuelling chemsex parties among gay, bi men * Campaigners warn of risks from unprotected sex, drugs * Chemsex users seeking help find scant official support BANGKOK, May 18 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Beam, a gay sex worker, used to go to a “chemsex” party about once a month before the coronavirus pandemic shut Thailand’s bars and clubs. But since then, the drug-fuelled gatherings have become much more frequent. As Thailand grapples with a third COVID-19 wave, campaigners are warning of the health risks posed by an apparent increase in chemsex - where mainly gay and bisexual men meet to take drugs such as crystal meth or GHB and unprotected sex is common. Beam, 34, who also works as a porn actor and regularly meets his clients at the parties, said changes to people’s working routines under lockdown had made the gatherings more popular. “It’s now a golden opportunity for partygoers,” Beam, who asked not to give his full name to protect his identity, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Chemsex users are at risk of drug addiction or overdoses, as well as mental health problems, campaigners said, and Thai media have recently carried reports about chemsex-related violence including physical assault. As in other parts of the world, where authorities have voiced concern over the phenomenon, the parties are widely advertised on Twitter and gay dating apps like Blued and Grindr. At Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ NGO, the president, Nikorn Chimkong, said chemsex was “now a new normal” and that the trend was evident in an increase in inquiries about the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) anti-HIV drug. He said about 30 or 40 people per month contact the group every month nowadays to ask about the drug, a once-daily pill that protects people from becoming infected with the virus. That compares to less than 10 before the pandemic, with the majority taking the pills before chemsex parties, he said. LACK OF SUPPORT Three current and former chemsex partygoers, and experts supporting users, said Thai public health providers lack the knowledge needed to support those seeking help for chemsex use. Elsewhere in Asia, too, there are no harm reduction programmes that simultaneously address the risk of drug use and the sexual activity of gay and bisexual men and transgender women, found a recent report by APCOM, a health advocacy group for gay and bi men. In Europe, where surveys in Britain, Spain and the Netherlands have found that 30-45% of gay and bi men have engaged in chemsex at least once, doctors warned in 2019 that the practice was refuelling epidemics of HIV in urban areas. Earlier this year, Britain increased penalties for GHB following two high-profile trials, one of which detailed the drug’s use in the rape of almost 50 men. In Thailand, where gay sex and drug use is widely frowned upon, people who want support for chemsex issues are often reluctant to seek help for fear of being stigmatised, campaigners said. “There are very few service providers that make users feel like they are another human being,” said Midnight Poonkasetwattana, APCOM executive director. “These are the groups that we must provide services for in order to reduce their risks of HIV.” ASSAULTS, OVERDOSES One place that does offer help is KRUBB Bangkok, a gay social club and community centre, which opened about nine months ago and provides chemsex counselling services for gay men. Sergeant Shaowpicha Techo, a psychologist at a Bangkok health centre who also sees patients at KRUBB, said he was seeing up to a dozen patients per week compared with one or two before the pandemic. Thailand does not have official statistics on chemsex, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said up to 90% of gay and bisexual men who have used their healthcare services have experimented with chemsex. Most are aged between 20 and 40. Anggoon Patarakorn, deputy director of the government’s Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment, said he had not noticed a surge in chemsex during the pandemic, but acknowledged officials did not yet have expertise on the issue. “We’re not giving special priority (to this group) at this time, but we may focus on them more in the future,” he said. The Royal Thai Police’s anti-narcotics bureau declined to comment. News reports of assaults and fatal overdoses at chemsex parties prompted a group of campaigners to form a network called Safety Net in June last year to support chemsex users. Aiming to raise awareness among government officials and health workers, it is also working on a first aid handbook for users including advice on what to do if someone overdoses. Arthur, a 32-year-old actor and model who asked to be identified only by his nickname, has had less work during the pandemic and said he had been attending chemsex parties more often as a result. But the regular drug use took a toll on his mental health and he is now seeking treatment and helping Safety Net. "I have hurt myself (from cutting) and attempted suicide many times in the past," he said. "About five of my friends have died from drugs ... and now I want to help other people." (Reporting by Nanchanok Wongsamuth @nanchanokw; Editing by Helen Popper and Rachel Savage. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit news.trust.org) https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-lgbt-drugs-idUSL8N2BP44C