reader

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse another anti-government protest in Bangkok on Wednesday. Bangkok Post photographers captured the scenes. (Photos by Nutthawat Wicheanbut, Arnun Chonmahatrakool, Wichan Charoenkiatpakul & Pornprom Satrabhaya) Additional photos at https://www.bangkokpost.com/photo/2163835/police-fire-tear-gas-rubber-bullets-at-victory-monument-protest

There's no escaping the fact that the Taliban's rapid advances are a disheartening backdrop to the exit for American military forces. But you've conveniently omitted an important fact: the US isn't the only nation whose forces have been exiting Afghanistan. The US may have had the lion's share of assets, but this was a NATO effort. Other countries that have pulled out include the UK, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, Netherlands, Romania, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Norway, Armenia and Mongolia. You can heap as much blame on the US as you wish but at least tell the whole story and not just the side that fits your purpose. The US may indeed be guilty of telling lies, but it certainly isn't alone in the deception. Perhaps you no longer see the necessity for maintaining The North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The all-or-one and one-for-all concept of mutual military support may be an outdated concept. But we'll have to wait for the future to find out.

From Coconuts Bangkok A scene from ‘School Town King.’ The makers of a film about rappers in Bangkok’s sprawling Khlong Toei slum are asking the public to help get their documentary onto streaming platform Netflix. Director Wattanapume Laisuwanchai and the folks behind production studio Eyedropper Fill are asking people to urge Netflix to add School Town King to its roster. The film, which took three years to create, follows young Khlong Toei rappers Thanayuth “Book” Na Ayutthaya, aka Eleven Finger, and Nontawat “Non” Toma, aka Crazy Kids, as they work to break into the music scene and out of poverty. Interspersed with studio shots and rap performances, the film also lays bare the reality of life in Bangkok’s notorious riverside community. School Town King premiered at at last year’s Busan International Film Festival alongside Come and See, a Thai documentary chronicling the controversial Buddhist sect Dhammakaya now available on Netflix. School Town King enjoyed a limited December release in theaters and was briefly available for on-demand viewing on Vimeo, where a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Duang Prateep Foundation. But Wattanapume and company feel it could have more of an impact. The film’s promo page last week called on followers “to help the film’s message reach an audience that may not have had the opportunity to watch it in theaters.” “Through the real-life story of Book and Non, the movie might expand your perspective and lead to social change,” it said. The two rappers share the same hope. Throughout the film, the two talk about the high bar they must clear just to get out of the slums, as well as some of the deeper issues plaguing Thailand, from deepening inequality to widespread injustices. But they add that they want their music to help erase negative perceptions about Klong Toey and someday change society for the better. Sometimes, their lyrics are imbued with anger, which would seem to undermine their message of hope. In a song called Slum Khlong Toei, which has notched over four million views on YouTube, teenager Crazy Kids expresses outrage over the discrimination he and his neighbors experience. Bars like “I’m a kid from the slum / the one you looked down on like scum” leave little room for interpretation. Continues with photos and videos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/filmmakers-recruit-public-to-bring-story-of-bangkoks-young-slum-rappers-to-netflix/

From The Nation Thailand will have over 32 million doses of Pfizer jabs before yearend Thailand will receive 32.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine within the fourth quarter of this year, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ministry had placed an order for 20 million doses with Pfizer as part of its vaccine procurement plan. In addition, he said, Pfizer has also offered to send another 10 million doses to the country within this year. “This, combined with the 2.5 million doses donated by the US – 1.5 million doses of which have already been delivered – will bring the total of Pfizer vaccines up to 32.5 million doses,” Anutin said. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004572

From Pattaya Mail For the few still holding out hope, it’s now official: Pattaya is not reopening to foreign tourists Sept. 1. In truth, it never was. No matter how much Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome and tourism-industry associations talked up the “Pattaya Move On” plan, Sept. 1 was never a realistic date and the plan was never approved by anyone. The Tourism Authority of Thailand – which, in fact, can’t open a noodle stand on its own, let alone a city – said Aug. 10 there was no way Pattaya could start welcoming fully vaccinated foreigners in three weeks and wouldn’t even predict when Pattaya will be. Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome, however, admitted defeat, saying that, without TAT’s backing, Pattaya cannot continue to lobby for reopening. Pattaya is not alone. TAT also pulled its support for reopening of Hua Hin. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/its-official-pattaya-not-reopening-sept-1-367286 =================================== Covid-19 sinks Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry The Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry survived summer storms, pier renovations and mechanical issues, but Covid-19 finally sunk the service. Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome announced Aug. 10 that Royal Passenger Line Ltd. had requested that its contract for Pier 3 at the Bali Hai jetty not be renewed and that it was suspending its catamaran service to Prachuap Khiri Khan, probably forever. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/covid-19-sinks-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-367278 ===================================== 92% of Covid-19 patients in Thailand are infected by Delta variant Thailand’s Department of Medical Science (DMS) has revealed that more than 90% of COVID-19 patients have been infected by the Delta variant of the virus. DMS Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the department has been studying new infections each week and, of the 1,632 samples surveyed last week, 1,499, or 91.9%, had been infected by the Delta variant, while 129, or 7.9%, had picked up the Alpha variant and 4, or 0.2%, had the Beta strain. No other strains of COVID-19 have been detected in Thailand so far. He said the trend of infections in Thailand shows that the Delta variant is fast becoming the mainstream and can be found in every province, while the Alpha variant will eventually cease to exist. As for the Beta variant, it will remain in southern provinces and not spread to other regions. https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/92-of-covid-19-patients-in-thailand-are-infected-by-delta-variant-367402

From Reuters /. BP PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has administered at least one coronavirus vaccine dose to half of its population, among the highest rates in Asia, official data showed on Wednesday, with vaccine diplomacy playing a key part in its success. Cambodia, an ally of China and one of Asia's poorest countries, started inoculations with Chinese-made vaccines in February, while millions of doses provided by the United States, Japan and Britain have arrived in recent weeks. Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said Cambodia should reach the 10 million people targeted for vaccination about seven or eight months earlier than planned. The rate is similar to Malaysia's 49.4% receiving a first dose, but higher than the 25% of the population in neighbouring Thailand and 12% of people in Vietnam. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2163827/inoculations-reach-half-of-cambodians-amid-vaccine-diplomacy

The ingredients discussed above are indeed bad for the coral reefs, but the stuff they'll never take off the shelves are the highly lucrative skin lighteners that can pose significant dangers to humans. Very popular among the hi-so crowd whose greatest fear is to have the bronzed complexion of Thais who work outdoors, these cosmetics frequently have one ingredient in common: mercury. The US Food and Drug administration warns you can frequently find the chemical in "anti-aging" and skin lightening products. In an advisory titled Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products, the FDA states:: If the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury” are listed on the label, mercury’s in it—and you should stop using the product immediately. Signs and Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning irritability shyness tremors changes in vision or hearing memory problems depression numbness and tingling in hands, feet or around mouth

You can't spend that much time in the batmobile and not be seduced.

You make a persuasive case but I think you should take it to the horses' ears. Without their participation, after all, the equestrian events couldn't go on. There's a very good chance that they don't particularly enjoy the sport, like this one who finally had enough and refused to jump at the Tokyo competition this year. I wouldn't want some rider whipping my butt and urging me to just get on with it (at least I don't think I would). If more horses became aware of the courage this horse displayed, perhaps others would join in a jumping boycott. Another approach would be to encourage fans not to buy tickets to the events. Or start a campaign to get those who donate to stipulate that they didn't want any part of their contribution to go to flying horses to the next games.

As interesting as it is to contemplate on how the IOC could go about democratizing the basis on how medals are awarded, it's more suited for an on-line Fantasy Olympics. Imagine trying to explain to Brazilians that their World Cup victory has been re-gifted to Slovenia on the grounds of political correctness. Or to Russian hockey fans that their Olympic title has been re-assigned to Hungary. Or to British Open winner who has to surrender his trophy to a player from Burundi who shot 10 over par. The truth is that fans attend and watch the Olympics to see the best of the best, not the rest of the rest. They want to see the big boys--and girls. NBC and other networks aren't about to pony up the billions they do to see the actual results set aside by even the best of intentions. For better or worse, to the winner goes the spoils. If it was any other way, why would anyone work their butt off for four years in preparation.

From Pattaya Mail From August 11, the maximum deposit protection in individual Thai bank accounts is reduced from 5 million to one million baht, or about 22,000 British pounds. Inevitably, this has set off a wave of social media frenzy with foreign retirees and others alarmed that their cash deposits might disappear overnight or even that the whole of the Thai banking system is in danger of disintegration. Best to calm down. The Deposit Protection Act of 2008 was introduced in the wake of the world financial crisis of that era. The amounts protected have been regularly reduced over the years until they reached five million baht. Then, in April 2020, the Thai Cabinet announced the one million limit would come into force in August 2021. But this still covers 98.03 percent of total depositors investing in 35 financial institutions, according to Kasikorn Research Center. Comparisons have to be made with other countries. There is no common pattern. Cambodia has no regulatory deposit protection yet in force, whereas the Philippines guarantees most accounts for 500,000 peso or about 7,000 pounds. The UK mainland has an upper limit of 85,000 pounds, which falls to 50,000 pounds in the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles where most British expats have been forced in recent years to lodge their accounts. The EU protection limit is 100,000 euros. As usual, the devil is in the detail. Refunds are not automatic in every case. As the online Moneyfacts reports, the Halifax and the Bank of Scotland in UK are under the same banking licence, so investors’ protection is limited to one account and not two. In Thailand, foreign currency accounts are not covered. In almost all countries, temporary surges in funds (such as receiving an inheritance or a bonus) will not count in the deposit protection scheme. Bloomberg, the international business and media company, says that the economic ramifications of Covid are far from clear. But its list of most likely banking failures internationally doesn’t even mention Thailand – but does list the USA! Kasikorn Research Center reports that the main intention of the forthcoming depositor reduction in Thailand is to encourage fiscal responsibility in businesses and consumers alike. Even so, there is no denying that Thai banks are overly dependent on unpaid loans and repossessed properties whose notional value may be much higher than reality. Money and risk can never be separated. The best advice for foreigners in Thailand who maintain millions of baht in Thai banks, a very small number of expats, is to spread their cash around more than one financial institution or even to make use of banks in other Asean countries. In reality, in any country, the government is the security for investors. If one bank goes bust, the central authority can bail it out as the UK did in the case of Northern Rock in 2008 which was saved by nationalization. If all banks go bust, your currency will be worthless in any case. Hello the Weimar Republic. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailands-cut-in-bank-deposit-protection-doesnt-mean-a-collapse-is-imminent-367181

From Coconuts Bangkok Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, an online exhibition launched today that dives into the rich diversity of ethnicities in Thailand ranging from the Dubbed ‘You Me We Us,’ the website kicked off with information and stories related to the kingdom’s 60 known groups. The platform includes a map, quiz, interviews, articles and videos where audiences can learn about the groups’ histories, citizenship, legal rights, culture, traditions and more. On the website is also a chance to see Becoming Home, a documentary chronicling six stateless youths who hold onto hope and dreams as they struggle against social prejudice and lack of legal recognition. Although the movie hasn’t been released on the site as of the publication time, audiences can check out the trailer below. The exhibition, available from today onward, is organized by the U.N. Development Program, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association and Council of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand, with the support from the European Union. Before the exhibition, the UNDP and Thai film production studio Realframe organized a series of workshops to teach filmmaking, photography, and infographic skills to people from different ethnic groups. Some of the work they produced can be found in the exhibition. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples falls on Aug. 9 every year. In 2016, more than 2,600 indigenous languages were reported to be in danger and at risk of becoming extinct. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/you-me-we-us-online-exhibit-tells-thailands-unheard-ethnic-stories/

From Chanel News Asia The Lower Sesan 2 dam has sparked controversy since long before its December 2018 launch. (File photo: Ly Lay/AFP) PHNOM PENH: A massive China-financed dam in Cambodia has "washed away the livelihoods" of tens of thousands of villagers while falling short of promised energy production, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday (Aug 10). The 400-megawatt Lower Sesan 2 dam in the kingdom's north-east has sparked controversy since long before its December 2018 launch. Fisheries experts had warned that damming the confluence of the Sesan and Srepok rivers - two major tributaries of the resource-rich Mekong River - would threaten fish stocks crucial to millions living along the Mekong's flood plains. Tens of thousands of villagers living upstream and downstream have suffered steep losses to their incomes, HRW said in Tuesday's report, citing interviews conducted over two years with some 60 people from various communities. "The Lower Sesan 2 dam washed away the livelihoods of indigenous and ethnic minority communities who previously lived communally and mostly self-sufficiently from fishing, forest-gathering and agriculture," John Sifton, Human Rights Watch's Asia advocacy director and the report's author, said on Tuesday. "Cambodian authorities need to urgently revisit this project's compensation, resettlement, and livelihood-restoration methods." "There's no doubt at all that (the dam) contributed significantly to the larger problems the Mekong is facing right now," said Mekong energy and water expert Brian Eyler, while adding that more research was needed on the exact losses. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-dam-destroyed-livelihoods-tens-thousands-human-rights-watch-2103306

From Thai Enquirer Police seeking spyware that will help it monitor chat applications Thai police are seeking software that would help it monitor chat applications and social media private messages, a police source told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday. The Royal Thai Police have reached out to several companies selling software similar to the Pegasus software developed by an Israeli defense company. Police have approached vendors looking for technology that could be used to monitor messages sent between popular chat applications like LINE, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Police will use the application to monitor and prevent political protest as well as go after members of organized crime and drug smugglers, the source told Thai Enquirer on the condition of anonymity. The news will worry rights groups and dissidents especially after a “watchlist” of protest leaders and opposition politicians was revealed on Monday. (Read more here) https://www.thaienquirer.com/31061/thai-police-seeking-spyware-that-will-help-it-monitor-chat-applications/

From Thai Examiner Anutin defends amnesty bill, says necessary to protect doctors Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul came out on Monday to defend proposed legislation that would grant amnesty to doctors and policy makers in charge of the country’s vaccination plan by saying it was necessary to give doctors ease-of-mind as they deal with the pandemic. According to a leaked document secured by the Move Forward Party and released on Sunday night, the government aims on passing legislation that would exempt from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits those that decided the country’s vaccination plan. In essence that would mean that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as the doctors that advised them, would be exempt from any future prosecution. The government’s languid vaccination program has been criticized by the public and politicians alike for contributing to a mounting death toll and an uncontrolled third wave of the pandemic. https://www.thaienquirer.com/31014/anutin-defends-amnesty-bill-says-necessary-to-protect-doctors/

I admit that I'm not a big follower of the Thai BL series. However, the news a few days ago that a popular Thai actor by the name of Thanapat “Toy Toy” Chanakulpisan had been arrested for the stabbing murder of his girlfriend caught my attention because he looked like a guy in one of the videos posted in this thread. Here's a trailer from the BL Why R U series featuring an actor identified as Toy Thanapat Thanachakulphisan. This is the latest article about the killing from the Bangkok Post: Court turns down actor's bail request The Appeal Court turned down a request for TV actor Thanapat "Toy Toy" Chanakulpisan to be released on bail, confirming the Min Buri Court's decision yesterday. Police said Thanapat, 21, had confessed to killing his girlfriend Chatsaran Suwannakit, 25, at a townhouse in Bangkok's Khlong Sam Wa on Friday. According to police, the actor said he and Chatsaran quarrelled over his work and she told him to pack up and leave the house. He said she went to the kitchen and came back with a knife. They fought over the possession of the knife and he stabbed her in a blind rage, killing her on the spot. When Thanapat was taken to the Min Buri Court on Saturday, his lawyer filed for his release on bail while police asked the court to reject the request. The court denied the request on the ground that the crime carries severe penalties and the suspect could take flight if released. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2162091/court-turns-down-actors-bail-request

Thank goodness no one practices M4M sex in Thailand. From The Thaiger Wear a condom… and a face mask. Find a sex position that is not face-to-face. Don’t kiss. Avoid saliva… and other secretions. And make it short. That’s what Thailand’s Department of Health is advising. After a prostitute in Western Thailand contracted Covid-19, the department announced nine safe sex guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Along with no kissing, no oral sex, and no anal sex, the department says to shower before sex and to use disinfectant to clean the bed or other areas where sex is performed. Positions should maintain a safe distance between faces. (Don’t worry, we have a so-called “Coronasutra” graphic below.) Safe sex guidelines by Thailand’s Department of Health… Wash your hands and shower before and after having sex. Avoid kissing because the Covid-19 virus can be spread through saliva. Refrain from doing oral sex or having anal sex as Covid-19 virus can be contaminated in faeces Use condoms, dental dams, and rubber gloves to reduce contact with saliva or other types of secretions. Wear masks to cover your nose and mouth during sex to prevent the spread of infection through heavy breathing. Favour positions where you are not face-to-face while having sex to avoid contact with saliva or other secretions and spend as little time as possible (Basically, have a quickie.) Avoid group sex or swapping sex partners. Use disinfectants such as 70% alcohol, detergent, bleach to clean the sleeping area or the surface where sex was performed. Condoms, disposable tampons, dental dams, and rubber gloves infected with secretions should be thrown away in a covered bin. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/wear-a-condom-and-a-mask-health-department-advises-covid-safe-sex

Today's Bangkok Post carries a piece in the business section that calls for replacing travel-related portals with a government run site! It seems that these hi-so money gurus think by turning over the reins of what was one of the nation's greatest provider of foreign currency to the the same government that managed the vaccine acquisition and roll out is a sure road to success. You cant make these things up. If that's not enough, the same group believes that they can eliminate the need for migrant labor by concocting "ecosystems"--whatever the hell that means. I've been traveling to Thailand for a long time. I've probably used most Thai booking sites and many international ones and never had a problem finding what I was looking. for. In the end you have to ask, "who'll benefit from these changes?" Not to worry, it's the venture capitalists who stress the need for "tax incentives" for those who do the investing--of course. The best reason for not following their advice: don't fix something that's not broken. Thailand's tourism sector has been functioning very well on its own for decades without the help of big brother. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2162323/uncertainty-continues

Airbnb may--or may not--be banned, but you'll find hundreds on offer as I write.

The games may be over but the memoirs will linger.... Japan's Daiki Hashimoto competes in the floor event of the artistic gymnastics men's all-around final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Jul 28, 2021. He won gold, succeeding his compatriot Kohei Uchimura. (Photo: AFP/Lionel Bonaventure) Malaysia's Soh Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia (top) celebrate as they win the men's doubles badminton bronze medal match against Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan (left) and Hendra Setiawan. (Photo: AFP/Pedro Pardo)

At one time you could possibly make a clear distinction between amateur and professional athletes but I don't believe that it's any longer possible, especially when it comes to the wealthier nations. The IOC has time again demonstrated that it's wholly incapable of policing itself of corruption to the point where it's a case of "move along...nothing to see here." Better they allow one and all to compete because no one would give any credence to anything they say now, anyway. I admit that watching only athletes who are competing for the "love of the game" on an ideal Olympian plane is an attractive concept but one that's impossible to regulate. Adopting a single venue, or a limited number of venues, would greatly reduce the financial and environmental impact of the games--summer and winter. But since it would severely reduce the opportunity for IOC committee members to profit, I doubt they're eager to pursue it. As for takraw (kick volleyball), bring it on! It would certainly keep me glued to the screen. This article from Slate, published several days ago, addresses the often stunning inequities in athlete compensation. Some Countries Offer Their Olympic Medalists More Than Glory Few feats in sports earn athletes as much glory and respect as winning an Olympic medal. But what else does it earn them? The International Olympic Committee’s Rule 40 severely limits which sponsors and partners athletes can promote at the Games, and many athletes have had a difficult time profiting off their Olympic experience. Several have actually gone into debt competing in the Olympics—like former UFC star Ronda Rousey, who became homeless a few months after winning a judo bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Games. As a result, some countries have instituted government-backed incentives for medal winners, to encourage greater participation and, in turn, the drive to win national bragging rights. Unfortunately, this exacerbates the inequality of the Olympics—only some countries have enough disposable athletic funding to dole out payments to anyone who trains or wins medals. Some international leaders have taken the prizes to new levels. In 2016, along with straight cash, the Russian government gave away luxury cars, apartments, and a literal racehorse to various winners for the country at the Rio Games. (Ironically, most Olympians couldn’t afford to own and maintain such cars. So, they sold ’em—which while totally understandable, feels a little like kicking a gift horse in the mouth.) At the same Olympiad, German medalists got a lifetime supply of beer, and Belarusian winners received a stockpile of sausage. Yahoo Finance reports that those delicious prizes remain on offer in Tokyo. Making the podium isn’t always the financial—or gustatory—windfall you might expect, especially if you compete in a rather niche sport, like say, race walking. Or steeplechase. Or those athletes in 1908 who competed in pistol dueling. (Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton neglected to mention you could go pro in that.) But some nations have made sure that their athletes will get paid handsomely for capturing Olympic glory, in cash and otherwise. Here’s what winners around the world can take home—along with their gold, silver, or bronze. Some countries absolutely pile on the cash. Take Singapore, one of the richest nations in the world as measured by GDP per capita, which doles out massive payments to medal winners. Gold medalists for the island nation make around $737,000, and payouts even for bronze medals top $180,000. Italy has also adopted a model of massive payouts—although a little less than Singapore. For the Tokyo Olympics, Italian gold medalists receive €180,000 for their victory, with smaller prizes for silver and bronze. Ecuador set a $100,000 reward for any athlete who could win gold—so congrats to champion road cyclist Ricard Carapáz on his new stacks. The Philippines promised roughly $200,000 in prize money to any gold medal winner on top of additional allowances that the government approved ahead of these Games. And the San Miguel Corporation—a large Filipino conglomerate—announced in mid-July that it would match the government’s donation amount for every gold medalist. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz will benefit from this match, as she won the country’s first gold medal ever last week—a feat the country has chased since its first Olympic delegation attended the 1924 Paris Games. But Diaz isn’t just getting this payday. Other Filipino companies are giving her thousands more in cash to go along with it. She’s also receiving free lifetime flights on AirAsia Philippines, a house courtesy of President Rodrigo Duterte—plus at least three more homes that companies and benefactors have promised her. Phoenix Petroleum is also honoring her medal with free fuel for life. Not a bad haul! These totals absolutely dwarf payments from Olympic committees like that of the United States. The U.S. only pays out $37,500 to gold medal winners, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. The U.S. payout structure is similar to other countries in the Americas like Brazil and Chile, which offer financial incentives in the tens-of-thousands range. And instead of a onetime jackpot, Malaysia, Estonia, and Indonesia promise their winning athletes decades of subsidies. Malaysian gold medalists receive roughly $1,200 in monthly payments for life, Estonian winners receive €4,600 a year, and Indonesian champions get an $18,000-a-year retirement plan. South Korea’s podium prize might be the most practical: The country enforces one of the world’s longest forced military service conscription policies in the world. All males in South Korea are drafted into 18 months of mandatory military service following their training. Written into Article 39 of the Korean constitution, this provision is hard to avoid—unless, say, you’re a K-pop star specially recommended for exemption by the Ministry of Culture. For elite athletes, there’s a loophole: win a medal at the Olympics or the Asian Games. Some of the Korean public wonder if too many athletes are gaining exemptions—skepticism that the Washington Post found was even more marked when the program was extended to specific finishes in the World Cup and other athletic events. Continues at https://slate.com/culture/2021/08/country-incentives-olympic-medalists-tokyo.html

From Coconuts Bangkok The Patpong red-light district in October 2020, when many venues were open as Bangkok enjoyed a calm in the eye of the pandemic storm. Photo: Chayanit Itthipongmaetee / Coconuts Bangkok Weeks after sex workers grabbed attention with their high heels and panties to demand a piece of the government safety net, their means of survival – even access to much-needed vaccines – remain ignored. Not only does social stigma make sex workers convenient pandemic scapegoats for the authorities, but the fact that prostitution enjoys no legal protections leaves sex workers forgotten in the margins, despite being among the most at-risk groups for COVID-19. “What we do generates a lot of income for the country, yet, we are often overlooked by the authorities,” Siriprapa “May” Sukcharoensri, a 32-year-old sex worker employed by Patpong’s Barbar Fetish Club, told Coconuts Bangkok. “We’re always the first place to close and the last to reopen.” Months of closure for Patpong’s red-light venues, May said, forced many sex workers back to their hometowns to save on living costs and care for their families. And despite the risks coming into intimate contact brings for disease transmission, their young age puts them near the back of the line for vaccines. May’s boss, Barbar owner Michael Messner, used business channels to secure 100 doses of Chinese-made Sinopharm doses, enough to sponsor the inoculation of 50 workers. “This wave has increased the suffering of the Patpong workers and community, and nobody is talking about it anymore,” said Messner, whose entertainment group also owns the Patpong Museum and Candle Light Studio art gallery. “There is zero help from the government, it almost seems that this sector could be designated ‘collateral damage.’” That’s led sex workers remaining in the famed red-light district, which has been dark since April, to band together to find any means to survive. Those who have remained in the capital have had to shift online to channels such as OnlyFans or rebrand themselves for a domestic audience instead of foreign tourists. “Although we’re affected directly, 100%, we cannot stop moving,” May said. “Like other people, we have expenses and families to take care of. There was one woman who had to pay her own university tuition, and I admired her so much for that.” “Survival mode is a key to staying afloat,” Messner said. “This means canceling their rented flats, and 3-4 moving in together into one flat sharing the expenses, selling their gold and liquidating other assets, like motorcycles, TVs and other possessions that can quickly be turned into cash.” Continues at https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/failed-by-govt-that-scorns-sex-workers-patpong-looks-after-its-own/

From Bangkok Post Demonstrators react to tear gas during a clash with police in Bangkok's Din Daeng area on Saturday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiartpakun) Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon on anti-government protesters on Saturday, the culmination of a running battle in which demonstrators were forced to change their destination three times. Redem demonstrators had arranged originally to meet at Democracy Monument at 2pm on Saturday, with a plan to march to the Grand Palace. Redem (Restart Democracy) has no official leaders but still has guards. Created by the Free Youth group in February, it can consist of different pro-democracy groups that share common goals at any given time. The group on Saturday was looking to push three demands — Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha must unconditionally resign as prime minister, the budgets for the palace and armed forces must be cut and allocated to Covid-19 relief efforts, and the "tycoon" Covid-19 vaccine must be changed to the mRNA type. A few hundred people arrived at Democracy Monument around noon. Police closed the area to traffic at 12.20pm and told them to disperse. In front of the Grand Palace nearby, the usual wall of containers was seen, fortified this time with decommissioned tanker cars obtained from the State Railway of Thailand. At 1pm, police started clearing the area. Rubber bullets were reportedly used and at least two people were arrested. The demonstrators were pushed back to the Phan Fa Bridge. Some threw firecrackers and fired catapults at the police. Free Youth then posted on Facebook that the destination was being changed to Government House. As container walls were also set up there, a loudspeaker truck announced another change of destination to Victory Monument, with a planned march to the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Prime Minister Prayut resides. As the demonstrators arrived at Victory Monument and were heading for Vibhavadi Road, which leads to the army base, police blocked traffic using stacked containers and barbed wire, with crowd control police lining up behind the barriers. Police told them to go back to Victory Monument. As some of the protesters tried to remove the containers, several tear gas canisters were fired at them at Din Daeng intersection at 3.30pm. Police said they would use rubber bullets if the protesters still tried to move forward. At 5.30pm, police pushed them further back to Victory Monument using water cannon. Video taken at the scene also showed tear gas and muzzle flashes — possibly from firing of rubber bullets — being used by officers positioned on the skywalk overlooking the roundabout. Free Youth called off the rally around 5.30 but sporadic clashes were continuing into the evening between small groups of protesters and police. The Victory Monument BTS station was temporarily closed as the police operation continued. Dozens of protesters were seen being carried away on motorcycles and in ambulances. The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said at least two civilians and three officers had been injured. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2161607/police-crack-down-on-protesters

I doubt there are many purely amateur athletes participating in the Olympics at this point. Taking part on that level requires--for most events--full time training and competition during the off years that has to be paid for some way. I have no problem with those athletes being supported in order to provide fans with the best of the best every four years. The biggest hurdle the Olympics face in the future will be the skyrocketing costs of staging them. It was recently announced that Brisbane was the lone bidder to "win" the 2032 slot. The addition of skateboarding has been good for viewership. I think the more sports the better. The water, track and field and gymnastics may be the most headlined events, but the Olympics as a whole provide a welcomed break when there's so much lousy news out there. I hope you get your wish for squash getting included in the future. But have a little mercy for the beloved baseball teams from Malaysia. 🙂

From the BBC Two arrested over plot to kill Myanmar UN ambassador Two Myanmar citizens have been arrested in the US for allegedly plotting to kill or injure Myanmar's UN ambassador. The US attorney's office in New York said Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw had planned to hire attackers to force Kyaw Moe Tun to step down. He is a vocal critic of Myanmar's military rulers, who seized power in a coup on 1 February. The junta later fired him - but he continues to represent the country's civilian government at the world body. "Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw plotted to seriously injure or kill Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations in a planned attack on a foreign official that was to take place on American soil," US Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement on Friday. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58088866