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Buying or renewing sim card Went to AIS in Silom Center to renew card but learned that my old 300 Baht plan no longer offered. Closest was now 375 which I accepted. You need to pay attention because plan brochure they show you offers 275 baht plan immediately beside 375. It looked tempting but I was accompanied by Thai speaker who noticed that was for one week only. The 375 plan does not allow you to make traditional phone calls but you can use LINE or other apps to do that. The next plan offering more speed and data is 500+. I believe True has similar pricing.

From The Thaiger A 19 year old half-Thai, half-British man crashed his SUV into a motorcycle on a road in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, leaving one Thai woman dead and another seriously injured. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan Foundation responded to the accident on Noen Plub Wan Road at approximately 11pm last night. Upon arrival, police found a Toyota Fortuner SUV with front-end damage and the wrecked Honda Grand Filano motorcycle. The SUV driver was present at the scene and was later identified as 19 year old Lewis Barrett. According to the local news Facebook page TMN Cable TV Pattaya, Barrett is a half-Thai, half-British national. Police confirmed that he did not have any alcohol in his system. Two Thai women, 19 year old Kunthida and 19 year old Thatsanee, were travelling on the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. Thatsanee lost her left leg in the crash, while Kunthida later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. A witness told the media that Barrett was driving at a very high speed, honking at cars in front of him to clear the way. He then suddenly collided with the motorcycle, dragging it for over 100 metres along the road. The Thai-British driver was reportedly in visible shock after the crash. It was reported that his family members later arrived at the scene and urged him not to speak to the media or provide any details about the accident. A CCTV camera on the road captured footage of the speeding SUV overtaking several cars but did not record the moment of the fatal collision. Channel 7 reported that police have charged Barrett under Section 291 of the Criminal Law for reckless behaviour leading to death. The penalty could include up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to 200,000 baht. Continues with photos https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/road-deaths/19-year-old-thai-british-driver-kills-thai-woman-in-chon-buri-car-crash

From Pattaya News At 3:00 PM on January 28th, 2025, at the Region 2 Provincial Police Investigation Division, Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong, Commissioner of Region 2 Police held a press conference to announce a successful crackdown on an online investment scam network in Chonburi province. According to Pol Lt Gen Yingyos, the investigation led to the discovery of a large transnational criminal organization operated by a Chinese ringleader. Authorities have issued arrest warrants for 33 individuals, with 20 suspects already in custody. The scam involved the suspects contacting victims via the Line app and falsely claiming they were interested in purchasing land in Chiang Mai. One case involved the suspects befriending a wealthy woman in Rayong and tricking her into downloading a fake app, which caused the woman to lose nearly 60 million baht. Authorities warn the public to be cautious of investment scams. In this case, the suspects also laundered stolen money by converting them into digital assets. As of press time, 1,009 victims have already filed complaints, and police have managed to seize more than 3 million baht. One significant arrest was that of a 23-year-old suspect named “Porn,” a Thai woman who allegedly worked as a cash courier for the gang. She was apprehended while crossing the border from Poipet, Cambodia, to withdraw money at an ATM near the Rong Kluea Market in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province. Authorities successfully froze 3.184 million baht from mule accounts used in the scam. Region 2 Police are working with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to return the money to victims. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/30/chonburi-police-bust-online-investment-scam-network-led-by-chinese-national-20-people-arrested/

It has been in effect for years. Only applies to departures (finances meter queueing and space allocated to taxis).

from Pattaya Mail By Barrry Kenyon Thailand’s unilateral policy to reform entry requirements makes a Schengen-style “six countries one destination” ever more distant. Thailand is the only south east Asian country to allow most tourists a no-charge 60 days visa exempt, whilst plans to introduce a digital landing card – which specifically isn’t a visa application – for all foreign entrants from May 2025 is another unique feature. ASEAN has been struggling since the turn of the century to find common visa ground. The idea was a favorite of the previous Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin in 2023, but he envisaged that international tourists would need to enter Thailand first to qualify for seamless onward entry without any cost. This elitist proposal was quietly opposed by neighbors as it seemed unduly to benefit Thailand and would potentially deprive them of revenue. There is no coordination of immigration technologies across the region. Whilst most visitors to Thailand are free and visa-exempt, Cambodia and Laos require virtually all international tourists to pay for an e-visa online or risk long delays at airports. Vietnam has a complex visa system which appears to change details on a regular basis. Myanmar is in a class of its own as it has no international tourism because of the civil war. Given that Thai authorities already have significant problems coordinating their own border control protocols and security data bases, the chances of uniformity throughout the region any time soon are indeed negligible. Although the Malaysian government has envisaged a common visa future, she and Thailand have the lion’s share of international tourism in ASEAN and are competitors as much as they are collaborators. A further issue is whether ASEAN nationals would be able to work across the region (as in the Schengen arrangements) rather than require a work permit in each country. Given the current panic, particularly in Thailand, about illegal workers and border scams, progress towards such labour flexibillity looks out of the question. ASEAN was set up as an economic free-trade zone and has a long history of avoiding cross-border political agreements. The dream of a common visa remains something to sleep on. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/contradictory-immigration-rules-handicap-common-visa-hopes-488906

Have tried them in past and extras available (level depending on individual guys).

One Spa in Saphan Kwai open 24/7. Maha on Soi 6 open until 1am. if you are looking around midnight,, some shops may still accommodate you if boy is willing (GZone on Soi 6 among them). Alternately, you may find boys about to leave shop who may be available to go to hotel.

Arrived shortly before midnight Wednesday. Many flights arriving and immigration very busy. But luckily, being 70+, I was welcomed to use priority lanes. All immigration agents now attired in snappy new uniform: navy blue jacket, white shirt and tie. Very professional. Greeted with “Happy New Year” and on my way in about a minute. Bag appeared five minutes after arriving at carousel. Taxi used meter and fare to Silom came in at about 270 plus 85 in tolls and 50 baht airport fee. Traffic from airport light at 12:45 am. Foodland has added young man to evening staff along with those other regulars we have come to know and appreciate. It’s always first stop!

From The Thaiger Delay 300-baht tourism fee Starting May 1, all foreign visitors to Thailand will need to complete a mandatory digital version of the TM6 immigration form, replacing the old paper-based system. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed the move, which aims to streamline immigration procedures and boost safety confidence among tourists. Natthriya Thaweevong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, explained that the online form will help police track tourists during their stay, enhancing Thailand’s image as a safe destination. The TM6 suspension, which began on April 15 last year, will officially end on April 30 this year. To prepare for the change, the ministry recently invited the Immigration Bureau to demonstrate the online system. A key meeting with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), airlines, and hotel operators, is set for January 31 to finalise rollout plans and ensure smooth implementation. Deputy Permanent Secretary Mongkon Wimonrat stressed that the digital TM6 will be compulsory for all foreign arrivals by air, land, and sea. “This free, user-friendly system is prioritised to avoid confusion before introducing other screening measures.” Meanwhile, the much-anticipated 300-baht tourism fee is likely to be delayed. A ministry source revealed that the government wants to ensure the TM6 system operates seamlessly before adding further requirements. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-to-launch-digital-tm6-for-tourists-delays-300-baht-fee

From Pattaya News Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has recently announced setting aside 145.63 million baht for transgender hormone therapy. This move, detailed by Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak, aims to enhance healthcare access for approximately 200,000 transgender people in Thailand. Previously, transgender people in Thailand faced the challenge of covering the costs of hormone therapy themselves, which often led to the use of treatments without proper medical supervision, posing health risks. By putting this funding into the 2025 budget, the government is not only providing for hormone therapy but also ensuring equal access to a range of healthcare services. By providing supervised medical care, this program hopes to reduce any dangers associated with self-medication treatments. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/28/thai-government-to-fund-over-145-million-baht-for-transgender-hormone-therapy/

From Bangkok Post One of two SIM boxes found concealed inside the base of a bed in a condominium room in Hat Yai district of Songkhla on Sunday. (Police photo) SONG KHLA - Police arrested two workers they said admitted being hired in Malaysia to install SIM boxes, used by call scammers, found hidden inside a bed frame in a condominium room in Hat Yai. Police said Azwan bin Ridwan Ching and Henry Loh Shi Xian, both Malaysian nationals, were arrested at the condominium building about 11.40am on Sunday. The building's name and address were withheld by police. The two men said they were paid 7,000 baht each to collect the SIM boxes from a bus terminal in Hat Yai about 9am on Sunday. The SIM boxes were concealed inside amplifier bodies. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2949301/two-caught-installing-scam-sim-boxes-inside-condo-bed ================== Toughen punishment for scam enablers The Thai government has endorsed a legal change that will hold banks, phone operators and social media owners responsible for damage from call-centre scams if they are found negligent or reckless. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society proposed the change, in the form of an amendment to an emergency decree on measures to solve technology crime. The cabinet approved it on Tuesday, said minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. The amendment would penalise financial institutions, telecom and social media firms if it is found that financial damages to the public resulted from their failure to comply with anti-scam measures, the minister said. He did not elaborate on how responsibility would be determined. The amendment also requires telecom operators and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to suspend SIM cards suspected to have been used by scammers. As well, it allows authorities to return stolen money to victims without having to wait for cases to be finalised in court. In addition, the penalty for revealing personal data without consent has been increased to a maximum of 5 million baht and/or 5 years in prison. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2949362/thailand-toughens-punishments-for-scam-enablers

From Bangkok Post Train ridership surged 60% across Greater Bangkok on Sunday, the second day of the government’s week-long offer of free public transport to help combat air pollution, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) said on Tuesday. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak said ridership on the city's electric train network shot up 60.90% on Sunday, to 1,549,622 trips, over the three previous Sundays in January. The figure was up on the 45.29% growth in Saturday’s ridership, the first day of the free public transport campaign. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2948581/free-public-transport-gives-big-boost-to-bangkok-train-trip-numbers

Read FB post today that's reporting sailors and marines have barfined every girl on Walking Street. Bar was so busy that he couldn't get his check and waitress just replied "Mai pen rai."

Friend in Bangkok used BTS today and confirms that many more riders are taking advantage of free fares. Said he had to wait for several trains to pass before his queue could board so doesn't sound like additional service was provided.

Agree that the bar "makes most of its revenue from bottles by big spending customers" but floor boys can only make serious money by being offed. Jupiter is decidedly more popular because it provides a specific type of guy that attracts a wider audience, especially Asian women in addition to big spenders. Jupiter is also located on an alley popular with locals and tourists alike.

From Pattaya Mail A dense layer of dust severely impacted visibility across Bangkok, particularly at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports, on January 26. This resulted in several flights being diverted to alternative airports with better visibility. The hazardous air quality conditions, caused by high concentrations of particulate matter (PM 2.5), disrupted flight operations and posed a health risk to the public. The thick haze was so severe that pilots, who were not certified for low-visibility landings or did not have the proper training or clearance, could not land at the airports. Planes were forced to divert to other airports where conditions were safer. In a post on social media, Captain Faisal, a pilot, shared an image of the hazy sky, stating that many flights were grounded or rerouted due to the low visibility, with only certified pilots and airlines being able to perform the necessary maneuvers to land. The dust crisis not only disrupted air travel but also prompted health advisories urging people to limit outdoor activities. Authorities continued to monitor the air quality throughout the day as the dust levels remained dangerously high. https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thick-dust-disrupts-flights-at-suvarnabhumi-and-don-mueang-airports-diverting-several-planes-488498 ============== In response to the alarming levels of PM2.5 air pollution affecting various regions in Thailand, Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, on January 26, unveiled a comprehensive set of measures to safeguard public health under the slogan “Check, Use, Avoid, Reduce, Close.” These recommendations aim to raise awareness and encourage proactive steps to mitigate health risks associated with fine particulate pollution. The Ministry has categorized PM2.5 pollution levels into five color-coded tiers, with specific actions recommended for each: Blue (0-15 µg/m³): General public: Safe to engage in all outdoor activities. Sensitive groups: Activities can proceed as usual. Green (15.1-25 µg/m³): General public: Outdoor activities remain safe. Sensitive groups: Minimize strenuous outdoor activities and monitor for health issues. Yellow (25.1-37.5 µg/m³): General public: Reduce outdoor exercise and physical labor. Sensitive groups: Limit time spent outdoors, wear protective masks, and seek medical advice if symptoms occur. Orange (37.6-75 µg/m³): General public: Minimize outdoor physical activity, wear masks, and consult a doctor for unusual symptoms. Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous activities, remain in dust-free environments, and take extra precautions. Red (>75 µg/m³): General public: Refrain from outdoor physical activity, use protective measures, and stay indoors as much as possible. Sensitive groups: Avoid outdoor exposure entirely, maintain dust-free spaces, and ensure access to essential medications. https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thai-public-health-minister-highlights-5-pm2-5-protection-tips-check-use-avoid-reduce-close-488484

I long ago lost my fascination with Moonlight. What I reading above tells me that some in the show bar business may be trying to hitch their wagon to the "soft power" that politicians are so fond of promoting. While soft power may indeed work with attractions like Thai cuisine, Muay Thai and Moo Deng, it's "hard" power that built the bar business and those who forget that do so at their peril.

Although I don't ask group of guys out, I regularly meet one of my favorite Bangkok massage guys for food and beers after he finishes work. He speak English and is great company. On occasion his brother (who works at different shop) may join us. Have never been asked by either for any compensation but do give them taxi fare home.

Good to hear that things worked out for you. Have had good luck with the Lao guys at the large Avarin shop.

I think we both agree what what we can't deny.

You still can't deny that the Khmer Rouge was a communist party.

You can't deny that the Khmer Rouge was a communist party. From Wikipedia The Khmer Rouge[a] is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) and by extension to the Democratic Kampuchea through which the CPK ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name was coined in the 1960s by Norodom Sihanouk to describe his country's heterogeneous, communist-led dissidents, with whom he allied after the 1970 Cambodian coup d'état https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge

From The Jurist The Cambodian government Friday approved a draft law that aims to punish those who ignore, minimize or deny the crimes committed by the communist regime between 1975 and 1979. Under the revised law, the civil penalty for genocide denial will now be increased to one to five years imprisonment and 10 million to 50 million riels (USD $2480 to $12,400). The draft law is an amendment to the original 2013 anti-genocide denial law. The original law enforced a punishment of six months to two years imprisonment and a fine of 1 million to 4 million riels (USD$248 to $992). The announcement of the draft law comes 50 years after the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975. “Khmer Rouge” refers to both the regime of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) between 1975 and 1979, as well to the members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea. After seizing power in 1975, the Khmer Rouge attempted a nationwide socialist revolution that involved forced migration of civilians into rural areas in a “great leap forward,” aiming to transform the country into a homogeneous agrarian worker-peasant society. During their five-year reign, the Khmer Rouge perpetrated widespread systematic enslavement, enforced population transfer, extermination, and attacks against human dignity on millions of civilians in Cambodia. The attacks were perpetrated on political, national, ethnic, racial and religious grounds. https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/01/cambodia-government-approves-updated-anti-genocide-law/

Due to elections, there will also be alcohol sales bans in affected provinces, which includes Phuket and Pattaya/Chonburi (But not Bangkok) from 6:00 PM on Friday, January the 31st, to 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 1st. This will shut down popular entertainment venues, clubs, bars, etc during that time window. Restaurants can stay open but not sell alcohol.

From Pattaya Mail There must be easier ways EDITORIAL The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that all foreign passport holders will need to fill in a pre-departure online TM6 form starting in May. The main reason is likely the introduction of 60 days visa exempt for umpteen millions of tourists which began last July. They can just turn up at the airport or border post without any documentation, a move which critics say is an open invitation to wannabe criminals (notably Chinese) of one sort or another. Presumably the computerized form, not yet available, will ask for Thai address details as well as passport-related information. The Ministry says that the online TM6 – a replacement for the old manual landing card which was suspended years ago because of the impossible-to-read scribbled writing, is not a visa but just an information card. Immigration officials at airports and borders can still access via their installed computers an individual’s travel history, and whether he or she is banned and/or has a previous conviction or is wanted by Interpol. The new part is a statement by the traveller of his or her local address in Thailand. How all this affects other address-related bureaucracies post-arrival, such as TM30 (in theory completed by the hotel or house master) and TM47 (the 90 days report) still remains up in the air. But the Ministry wants all foreigners, not just the visa exempts, to complete the TM6 computerized form prior to arrival. This is likely to produce some head scratching. Many expats have already provided details of their Thai address to local immigration, including documentary proof such as rental contracts or condominium unit ownership or a blue/yellow house book. But they now find themselves having to duplicate that information if they leave the country and return. A separate issue are the Destination Thailand Visa holders who are in the digital nomad category: many frequently change their address as they are neither retired and settled, nor workers earning money within Thailand. Apparently, there are further entry procedures under review. An ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization as well as a form to collect 300 baht tourist tax are still being mulled over, even though government publicity last year claimed they would be in force, or at any rate on pilot, by January 2025. It is small wonder that many visitors to Thailand are befuddled by the ongoing confusion, mostly created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in charge of embassies and entry rules) and not by the Immigration Bureau (in charge of processing and monitoring arrivals). Whilst neighboring Cambodia has about a quarter of the number of visitors to Thailand, she has an entry system which appears simpler and more comprehensive. Most arrivals have applied online for an e-visa and/or be required to obtain one at the airport or border. The required details include a Cambodian address and phone number. If an individual stays longer than 30 days, to apply for an extension or to take advantage of a variety of longstay permits, he or she must ensure inclusion on the computerized data base Foreigner Present in Cambodia System or FPCS. The app must be updated every time the visitor moves home internally. Not a perfect system by any means, but at least it doesn’t spread confusion and disenchantment about the host country. Those concerns are all too obvious in the Land of Smiles. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/editorial/there-must-be-easier-ways-to-admit-foreigners-into-thailand-488385