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Agree. I'd go a step further and suggest that most shops in Bangkok are a better value than a typical escort experience in the States or any western city.

From Bangkok Post A former Cambodian opposition MP was shot dead by a motorcyclist near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok on Tuesday evening. Lim Kimya, 73, died at the scene. Officers with the Metropolitan Police Bureau have launched a manhunt for the assassin. Police said surveillance camera video from the scene showed a man riding a red Honda Wave 100 motorcycle, licence plate number 845, wearing a helmet, long jeans and a grey short-sleeved shirt with a bag across the front. It is believed that a gun was hidden in the bag. The deceased, who held Cambodian and French nationality, had reportedly travelled to Bangkok by bus from Siem Reap, Cambodia, with his French wife and Cambodian uncle. The shooting took place shortly after they arrived at the scene, according to police. The perpetrator rode up on a motorcycle, parked it and got off to shoot. He then rode away along Phra Sumen Road, passing in front of Wat Bowonniwet, police said. Lim Kimya was a member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was the main opposition party in Cambodia before it was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November 2017. Even though he held a French passport and could easily have resettled, he was one of a handful of party MPs who remained behind in Cambodia after many others fled into exile to avoid further persecution by then-prime minister Hun Sen. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2934876/former-cambodian-mp-shot-dead-in-bangkok

Further evidence that there's something to fit every budget and and all preferences in Bangkok. I come for long stays and although my budget doesn't allow me to include shops like Jey Spa, I've heard nothing but good things about it from numerous sources.

From Pattaya News Pattaya is set to host the 2024 Stand-Up Paddleboard competition from January 18th to 19th, 2025. On January 6th, at the meeting room of the Pattaya City Hall Deputy Mayor Mr. Kritsana Boonsawat chaired a meeting to prepare for the Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP Board) competition, which is one of the events in the Pattaya Water Sports Competition 2024. The Pattaya City Tourism and Sports Office has organized the Pattaya Water Sports Competition 2024, which will feature the SUP Board competition from January 18th to 19th, 2025, at the Jomtien Beach Water Sports area. This event aims to promote physical fitness among youth and the general public and offer a pathway for potential future Thai national team athletes. Long Distance Open (16 km, male and female) Sprint 200 meters (under 15 years, male and female; under 19 years, male and female; Open, male and female) Technical (under 15 years, 3 km, male and female; under 19 years, 3 km, male and female; Beginner, 3 km, male and female; Open, 6 km, male and female; 40+ years, 6 km, male and female; 50+ years, 6 km, male and female) Special Race (youth under 10 years, fun attire, bikini, and banana boat).

Rekindles memories of that busted bridge game some years back. At first glance, thought this one might have been UN Security Council meeting. From Pattaya News Authorities in Pattaya raided a Jomtien residence and arrested 12 people, including foreigners, for hosting illegal poker games. At 10:36 PM on January 6th, Chonburi Immigration Police joined an operation with Pattaya Tourist Police, and Pattaya Police to raid a residence in the Jomtien area and arrested a group of individuals, both Thai and foreign, involved in illegal gambling. The operation followed a tip-off from concerned citizens that foreign nationals were hosting a gambling activity in a room at the residence, located just two streets away from the Immigration Police Station. Upon investigation, officers discovered that the lower floor of the building was disguised as a beer bar, while the room upstairs had been modified for hosting illegal Thai poker games. Inside the room, authorities found seven international tourists from Australia, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom playing poker, along with five Thais who served as card dealers, assistants, and staff. Police seized poker tables, multiple decks of cards, and some cash. A total of 12 individuals were detained. All evidence and suspects were handed over to Pattaya Police Station for legal proceedings. The names of the foreigners involved were withheld by police. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/07/pattaya-police-bust-illegal-poker-game-arrest-12-people-including-many-foreigners/

From Khaosod English Phlapphla Chai police have apprehended two Iranian nationals following a robbery of a Vietnamese tourist in the bustling Bangkok’s Yaowarat, while a third suspect remains at large. On January 6th at approximately 10:45 PM, a 27-year-old Vietnamese tourist sought police assistance near Royal Hotel on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Samphanthawong district. The incident unfolded as the victim’s friend was pursuing three suspects – two men and a woman. Police officers joined the chase and successfully arrested two of the perpetrators, who were unable to communicate in Thai and required an English interpreter at Phlapphla Chai 2 Police Station. According to the victim’s statement, he had withdrawn 150,000 baht ($4,350) and kept it in his waist bag before sitting in front of the Royal Hotel. The three foreign nationals approached him, initially engaging in conversation before demanding to see the money in his bag and attempting to snatch it. While the victim managed to recover 100,000 baht ($2,900), the suspects persisted, physically restraining him by grabbing his shirt collar and choking him until he was immobilized. One suspect successfully fled with 50,000 baht ($1,450). On January 7th, police investigation of CCTV footage corroborated the victim’s account. The arrested suspects were identified as Mr. Amer Hossein, 34, whose visa had expired, and Miss Safieh Latif, 35, who held a valid visa. Despite their denials, the Vietnamese victim and his friend positively identified them as the perpetrators. Based on witness testimonies and evidence, both suspects have been charged with robbery. Mr. Hossein faces an additional charge of overstaying his visa. Police are continuing their search for the third suspect. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/01/07/two-iranians-nabbed-for-vietnamese-robbery-in-yaowarat/

Guys may routinely ask for 2,000 because they figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. Most, however,will quickly agree to 1,000-1,500 range depending on individual requests. Seasonal fluctuation way also influence their response. Once they get to know you they stop negotiating. In SK, 800-1,200 is the expected range.

Those who stood to profit by the new airport said anything convenient that could soon be forgotten.

I've always been satisfied.

You may be missing out on a good experience. Be aware that there's another all-male shop in the Silom Plaza on the street level. Best Massage is located at the rear on the right side. All of the boys currently working there are from the Isan region of Thailand.

I'll limit my comments to shops on Silom rd., Silom Soi Six, Surawong Rd. Others are better qualified to comment on the more upscale shops in the wider Silom/Sathorn area. In brief, you may find masseurs who are open to provide more than HJ/HE in just about any shop. However, that's not to say that all masseurs in any shop will. Most will not. What individual guys will or won't do is something I've discovered during the course of a massage. Some can be surprisingly passionate but it's more of a spontaneous experience. Most may ask what you will pay while others take their chance that you'll be generous. In other words, in the Silom area you don't approach the manager asking who does what. That's what separates it from the shops of Saphan Kwai. Having said that, I've had some great sessions in Silom but always on a case-by-case basis, not a shop-by-shop basis. Hope that helps.

No. I only observed that he was the guy who always smiled at me. But if he's good at his job I wouldn't be surprised if he smiled at every potential customer. As a matter of course, I return every smile I receive from any shop (including the ladies). I figure that I owe them the courtesy.

From The Thaiger/ Business Insider The Embassy of Thailand rolled out the e-visa carpet for nine African nations on January 1 in a further bid to boost tourism. The popular e-visa programme is designed to bolster security and streamline the application process, as reported by VisaGuide.World. By simplifying the visa procedure, Thailand hopes to lure more visitors, vital for its thriving tourism sector. While Thailand’s tourism is heavily concentrated in major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, the rest of the country sees far fewer visitors, reported The South African. The Kingdom of Thailand offers a range of visas, including tourist visas, special tourist visas (STV) for long-term stays, and transit visas for quick stopovers. Non-immigrant visas cater to business, work, or educational purposes. These visas are available for single or multiple entries, subject to specific criteria. Applicants must prove their presence in one of the approved countries and provide all travel-related confirmations, including return flight details featuring the applicant’s name, travel dates, and all connecting flights from the country of origin to Thailand. In a statement, the Royal Thai Embassy announced it will no longer accept physical applications from citizens of the e-visa-approved countries. Eligible applicants must now submit their applications online via the embassy’s official website. Typically, visa applications are processed within five working days, although unforeseen delays can occur. Here are the approved countries, as highlighted by Business Insider: Federal Republic of Nigeria Republic of Benin Republic of Cameroon Republic of Ghana Central African Republic Republic of the Congo Republic of Equatorial Guinea Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Republic of Chad

Phoenix Massage on Inthamara 25 is offering a promotion of three, one-hour sessions for 1,000 baht on June 6-8. The offer may be shared with friends and does not expire. The tip is fixed at 1,200 per session. ============= Phetboy Massage is offering four, one-hour sessions for 1,150 baht that is valid until June 31.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Although Cambodia can be the cheapest of the tourist destinations in south east Asia, the authorities are heavily promoting bespoke packages for the truly wealthy. Chhay Sivlin, president of the main travel agents’ association, told the Khmer Times that the country isn’t just for backpackers and economy travellers. The UK Times newspaper seems to agree, recently ranking Cambodia as 13th in its list of 23 best luxury destinations. Several international companies, such as Jacada and Lux, have sprung up to cater for the new Cambodian market. They are promoting private islands such as Song Saa, a 45-minutes speedboat ride from Sihanoukville port, where a sumptuous villa will cost almost US$2,000. Not for a week but for a single night. Other options include helicopter rides over Angkor Wat and inclusive tours of historical sites nationwide in an airconditioned luxury Mercedes. As regards visas, Cambodia lacks the colorful array of choices offered in Thailand. However, annually renewable retirement visas are available from Phnom Penh immigration agents for as little as US$300. Required documentation is scanty and trouble free without the need to prove bank balances or address bureaucracy. A 10-year golden family visa is available for those investing US$100,000 in Cambodian property. It is also possible to buy Cambodian nationality with an investment or donation of US$300,000. Almost 7 million foreign visitors entered Cambodia in 2024 and the number is expected to rise substantially once the new hi-tech airport serving Phnom Penh, to be the ninth largest in the world, opens later this year. Phnom Penh based travel agent Chea Kim told Pattaya Mail, “Cambodia is now in direct competition with Thailand for the international tourists who are interested in an ultimate luxury lifestyle.” https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/cambodia-competes-with-thailand-for-top-end-luxury-tourists-486230

From Pattaya News A pickup truck driver deliberately rammed multiple motorcycles in the Takhiantia area near Pattaya, leaving several people injured, including a 47-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy in critical condition. The incident occurred on the evening of January 4th in the Takhiantia subdistrict of Chonburi province. It was reportedly a pickup truck intentionally rammed into several motorcycles in a small alley. Doctors at Pattaya Patthana Hospital had to perform emergency surgery on a 47-year-old woman due to serious internal injuries. A 17-year-old boy also sustained a serious head injury and had to be transferred to Chonburi Hospital for urgent treatment. Witnesses said the driver of the pickup truck, whose license plate is unknown, deliberately hit motorcycles along multiple roads, including Soi Takhiantia 35, 36, and 45. The collisions damaged many motorcycles and injured several riders. The victims were identified by police as Mr. Sommai Pewbang, 51, Mr. Sathorn Korakan, 23, Ms. Jirasaya Nonthapan, 47, and Mr. Yodthong, 17. The last two were in critical condition. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/06/pickup-driver-deliberately-rams-motorcycles-in-pattaya-area-critically-injuring-47-year-old-woman-and-17-year-old-boy/

From Bangkok Post PHUKET - A Russian man has told police he was attacked and robbed of US$700 in cash, about 20,000 baht, by another man speaking Russian in his hotel room in Phuket on Sunday night. The victim, whose details were not released, told police he was sleeping in a room at the hotel in tambon Karon of Muang district and was awoken about 8pm by someone knocking on the door. He said when he answered the door a Russian-speaking foreigner forced his way into the room and punched him in the face several times, and he fell to the floor, according to Karon station chief Pol Col Khundet Na Nongkhai. The victim said he could not fight back because had recently had stomach surgery. The intruder asked for an amount of money, but he had not known what the money was for at first. The intruder then shut the victim’s mouth with tape and bound him with a wire cord, and then put him on a phone to another Russian man. The victim recognized the voice as that of a man he had a problem with involving cryptocurrency business back in Russia. The victim told police he was threatened with death if he did not return 120,000 cryptodollars to the Russian on the phone. However, he did not give up his phone’s password, so the attacker failed to access his crypto account. The intruder then stole all his cash, about $700 in total. The victim told police his assailant tied him to the bathroom door and hit him on the back of the head with something hard, leaving him unconscious. When he awoke hours later he was alone in the room. Police investigators checked the hotel security recordings and noted that the suspect was a large man wearing a hoodie and a mask. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2933965/russian-beaten-robbed-in-phuket-hotel-room

It may ease your mind if you keep in mind that all the guys working the shops know exactly why you're there if you request oil massage. Granted, some customers may have greater interest in the actual massage portion of the session but all are focused to varying degrees on the afters. The masseur will take his clue from you. If you believe he's spending too much time on your legs, ask him to move on to your back. If you think he's spending to much time on your back, simply turn over. When working on your front side, many masseurs will position themselves within in easy reach of their goods. This presents you with an ideal opportunity to communicate your intentions.

Absolutely. Favor the guys who demonstrate interest in you. Don't waste time on guys with blank expression regardless of how attractive he might be. There's a guy who works in the Olivia's shop on Surawong who always smiles and sometimes reaches out to grab my hand as I pass by. Was always on my way someplace but I've never dismissed him from short list. Hope to connect on next trip because he sends all the right signals. Only thing I'd add is if manager tells you that you have to choose from rotation, or attempts to steer you to a chosen few guys, say thanks and move on to different shop.

Other videos available at https://www.youtube.com/@whitepartybkk/videos (Thanks to @paulsf for the tip)

From CNN Health What are you focusing on in the new year to improve your health? Regular exercise, of course, is a proven winner, as is eating plant-based meals. Getting more high-quality sleep, reducing stress, limiting alcohol and connecting with other people in meaningful ways are also key ways to boost well-being. However, there is one behavior change often overlooked when we think about improving our health in the new year: hydration. Water is the elixir of life, but few people make drinking enough a priority. Yet it’s so easy — there are no gyms to join, no meals to prepare, no need to scour the internet for a tasty mocktail — and experts say water’s benefits are almost too numerous to mention. Drinking plenty of water can improve blood pressure, diabetes, joint, gut and kidney health as well as ease migraines and boost the glow of your skin, among other benefits. “Staying optimally hydrated is a relatively easy lifestyle modification with potentially significant benefit: a longer disease-free life,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, a research scientist in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. How can you add this one small thing to your daily life? Attach drinking a full glass of water to other key routines you do without thinking. Coffee or tea drinker? While you wait for your coffee to perk or your tea kettle to whistle, fill a glass with water (add ice if you prefer, like me) and drink it down while you wait. Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/05/health/drinking-water-wellness/index.html

From Straits Times Vietnam claim third Asean Championship BANGKOK – Despite losing star striker Rafaelson to injury, Vietnam claimed their third Asean Championship title with a 3-2 win over 10-man defending champions Thailand in the second leg of the final at the Rajamangala Stadium on Jan 5. Pansa Hemviboon’s 82nd-minute own goal and a stoppage-time effort from Nguyen Hai Long helped the Golden Star Warriors to a 5-3 aggregate victory, adding to their triumphs in 2008 and 2018. In the process, the Vietnamese also avenged their loss to the Thais in the previous final in 2022.

Conduct interviews when you're next in Pattaya. You may come up with another JD Vance.

One USD equates roughly to 35 baht so three would be same as a red note. I'm sure they're acceptable because that's what separates us from the animals: we take money.

From Pattaya News Authorities raided a Pattaya nightclub early this morning, detaining 39 patrons for alleged drug use after a violent incident allegedly involving the club’s staff attacking a Chinese tourist. At 3:36 AM on January 5th, 2025, Chonburi Governor Mr. Thawatchai Sritong, along with over 100 officers from the Pattaya Police Station and several other agencies, raided the Panda Club, located in the heart of Walking Street, following an incident over the New Year holidays when the club’s security staff allegedly assaulted a Chinese tourist, leaving the victim severely injured and still seeking medical care. Upon arrival, the team found the venue still open. Over 300 patrons, mainly Chinese nationals alongside Thai and other international tourists, were found drinking and dancing to the music. Authorities immediately halted all activities, turned on the lights, and stopped the music. Many patrons, unaware of the raid, continued enjoying themselves until officers stopped them and separated them into male and female groups for identity verification. The patrons’ identification cards and personal documents were checked, and urine samples were collected to test for drug use. Governor Mr. Thawatchai revealed to the media that the tests discovered over 39 individuals with positive results for drug use, though no illegal substances were found on the premises. There were no reports of any foreigners on overstay of their visa, which is also regularly checked during similar raids. The 39 individuals, including 19 men and 20 women, were taken into custody and transferred to the Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings. The police did not reveal their nationalities or the exact drugs the detainees were tested positive for. TPN media notes that the most common drugs tested for during similar raids is methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine. Cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand and not tested for. ======================= From Khaosod English Stranded at Sea: Tourists Forced to Pay Midway Through Trip KOH PHANGAN — Tourist safety concerns have emerged on the popular Thai island of Koh Phangan following social media reports of water taxi operators demanding payments from passengers in the middle of the sea. A social media post on January 4 detailed an incident where tourists were allegedly forced to make payments under duress during a late-night boat ride. According to the report, around 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, a group of approximately 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to visit a local pub. The boat operator, who hadn’t disclosed the fare beforehand, stopped the vessel in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way journey, refusing to continue until everyone paid. “The waves were strong, and we couldn’t turn back. Remembering the recent tragic incident where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt compelled to pay,” the post stated. The post garnered widespread reactions, with commenters saying things like “Typical behavior,” “Are the police turning a blind eye again?” “This is practically piracy,” “These scammers are destroying our tourism reputation – they’ll be the ones complaining when tourists stop coming. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/socialmedia/2025/01/04/stranded-at-sea-tourists-forced-to-pay-on-koh-phangan-boats/