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You asked many questions, sought much advice to prepare for your trip. Now you leave us hanging. Did you fall off the side of Pattaya? Get lost in Jomtien Complex? Find a lover? We’re beginning to get concerned.

When walking to Foodland about 7pm this evening, noticed a new bar on Patpong 2, opposite entrance to parking garage. The name is Dragon Koi. The barker out front told me it just opened. There’s a long bar and tables against the windows on two sides of the building. It is not a show bar.

Lawyers have billable hours. Surely cops should be allowed billable moments.

You’ve always been fixated on activities the nuns warned us about. 🙂

NOTE — The move has generally lifted the exchangr rate for major international currencies vs the baht off earlier lows. From AA The Bank of Thailand lowered its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25% on Wednesday, the first rate cut since May 2020.
 After keeping the rate at 0.5% for a long period, the bank increased the rate to 2.5% gradually from August 2022 to September 2023, then kept the rate constant for the last five monetary policy meetings. The bank said the country's economy is expected to expand as anticipated.
 "Meanwhile, headline Inflation is projected to gradually return towards the target range by the end of 2024," it said. "Moreover, the lower policy rate would not impede debt deleveraging given the expected slowdown in loan growth and would remain neutral and consistent with economic potential," the bank added.

I promise to believe this when it happens. From Pattaya Mail / NNT Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, confirmed the government’s commitment to its 20-baht flat fare policy for all color-coded metro lines by September 2025. Currently, the policy is applied to two routes, which are the Purple Line linking Tao Poon –Khlong Bang Phai and the Red Line, particularly the portions connecting Bang Sue and Rangsit as well as Bang Sue to Taling Chan, which have received positive feedback from the public. The Minister assured that this policy would be expanded to all metro lines and routes, as previously announced. The Ministry of Transport plans to propose extending the 20-baht flat fare policy, which is set to expire on November 30th, to the Cabinet. Additionally, the ministry is drafting the Joint Ticketing System Management Act, which is currently being reviewed by the Council of State before being submitted to the House of Representatives during one of the December parliamentary sessions. Once the law is enacted, a Joint Ticketing System Promotion Fund will be established to finance the policy, including revenue sharing for the Blue Line, support from the Energy Conservation Fund, and budget allocations. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance are also collaborating on a study to implement the flat fare policy through the creation of an infrastructure fund to buy back metro concessions. This initiative aims to raise approximately 200 billion baht from investors over a 30-year period to reacquire all metro line concessions, allowing the government to regulate more affordable and fair fares for the public. Additionally, a congestion charge is being considered for roads in Bangkok, particularly along major routes such as Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road, and Ratchadaphisek Road. The revenue from this fee would be added to the infrastructure fund and could potentially serve as a return on investment for fund contributors. This model has been successfully implemented in countries like the United Kingdom, noted the minister. (NNT) https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/minister-confirms-20-baht-flat-fare-policy-for-all-color-coded-metro-lines-by-sept-25-476587

…..is the last best refuge for an American. No relentless cable news coverage and a Trump free environment. Worth the price of the air fare.

Have to admit I really find guys with bra-like straps off putting. They have a perfectly formed upper body that now reminds we of female accoutrements. Maybe it has some S&M appeal but not for me.

From Bangkok Post 5% of CNG-powered buses defective The Department of Land Transport says that 68 of the 1,331 CNG-fuelled buses it has inspected this month were below standards and have been temporarily banned from the roads. The defects were detected in inspections carried out since Oct 4 in response to the tour bus fire that killed 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani on Oct 1. The bus in question was 54 years old and its conversion to compressed natural gas failed to comply with the regulations. The number of defective buses accounted for 5% of the vehicles examined so far, the department said on Thursday. Common problems found were expired gas cylinders and equipment, it added. The department said 12 buses taken off the roads were later cleared for use again after their operators repaired the problems. The operators of all the buses were given 15 days to fix them and return for another check. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2885551/5-of-cng-powered-buses-defective

Expats in Thailand should stop worrying about tax By Barry Kenyon On top of current personal income tax woes on funds remitted from overseas, Thailand’s longstay foreigners are now being panicked by premature scares about negative income tax (NIT). Some English-language Thai news sites and social media are warning that NIT is imminent and will require all Thais, as well as foreign residents, to fill in tax forms under penalty early next year and disclose all their worldwide financial resources. NIT is certainly being considered by sections of the Thai government, but would require a change in the law. Deputy minister of finance Julapun Amornvivat, who is in favour, said recently such a move would require “a few years” to appear formally on the statute book. The reality is that NIT is a framework for taxation and benefits, so you would need to see the details to ascertain the specifics. Nobody has access to any specifics at the present time. Broadly speaking, NIT targets financial assistance to those with an income below a threshold determined by the government. Those below that threshold receive a cash subsidy on a sliding scale. Advocates of NIT say it will help the elderly, the unemployed and those on marginal incomes. Payments could be made easily via digital platforms such as Paotong and digital wallets. But we have no idea what the cash boundaries might be. Another name for NIT is “workfare”. All Thai citizens earning one baht or more in a year would be required to register with the Thai Revenue Department and fill in an annual tax form. So for the first time, low-income street vendors, massage workers etc would be required to be part of the tax system. NIT means that, once their income rises above the government-stipulated level, they will become taxpayers and not tax beneficiaries. Thus the real purpose of NIT, over time, is to increase the number of tax payers in Thailand from less than 30 percent to a near 100 percent. For example, an unemployed person who then gets a job would sooner or later earn a salary big enough to make him or her a tax payer. The finance ministry believes that the demographic time bomb – not enough babies being born – will mean that social security payments to the elderly need to be offset by widening income tax participation. Thailand is on the verge of becoming a super-aged society. But the introduction of NIT in Thailand is not a foregone conclusion. It would initially require an increased budget allocation and would move the country strongly towards state control of the population. Any adult Thai who did not fill in a tax form annually would not receive benefits (assuming they were eligible) and would be subject to criminal penalties. Many critics of NIT also say it’s more appropriate to advanced economies than to developing countries. The implications for expats in Thailand are entirely speculative. Crunch time is years ahead. If ever. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/expats-in-thailand-should-stop-worrying-about-negative-income-tax-476439

From The Thaiger A 91 year old German man committed suicide at his home in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, after his Thai girlfriend repeatedly asked him for money. He had reportedly lost more than 30 million baht to this woman. Officers from Bang Phli Police Station investigated the suicide of the 91 year old German, Bothmer Arnulf, at his home in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province at about 2pm yesterday, October 17. Arnulf was found sitting on a wooden chair inside the house. The German man sustained a gunshot wound to his head, near his right ear. He was still alive when the police arrived, and the rescue team administered first aid before rushing him to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, Arnulf passed away at the hospital. The .38 calibre gun used in the incident and two spent bullet casings were found near the chair. A Thai maid and gardener were present at the scene and provided accounts of the incident to the police. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/cash-out-old-german-man-ends-life-after-costly-romance

Left condo at 8:45 and headed to Silom vis Soi Thaniya which was wholly free of ladies of the evening. Once we arrived on Silom rd., foot traffic was moderate. Took a quick circuit through DonDon Donki which was pretty much clogged with tourists, the first indication of what businesses were benefiting from the alcohol sales ban. Soi 4. Was just about dark. G’s open but can’t go there unless I can have beer with meal so we agreed on Sunrise Taco and customary Sante Fe chicken salad. After did a tour around Patpong rectangle. All the masseurs from Oliviva’s were occupied within. The Silom end of PP 1 was packed with tourists although it thinned out heading to Surawong where others massage shops doing brisk business, benefiting from the sober throngs. Cannabis dispensers also well attended. PO 2 deserted save for Foodland and a pharmacy. As Vinapu and others agree,, if you plan ahead you survive nights like this just fine. Even if you didn’t, you can still make the best of it by patronizing the always welcoming massage shops. Even the gods of nocturnal flesh chasers smiled upon their minions, holding off a torrential down pour until about 1 a.m.

Very much agree. Although international audiences may not have been aware of it, her role in “Sister Act” (playing opposite Whoppi Goldberg) put her comedic side on full display. Magggie Smith could do it all and wonderfully.

From The Thaiger High-end hotel operators are poised to increase room rates during the High Season as tourist numbers are anticipated to rise in the coming months, while mid-tier and lower-tier hotels continue to face challenges. The hotel operator sentiment index reveals this trend. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that the average occupancy rate in September was 55%, a decline of seven percentage points from August and below the 63.4% recorded in the same period in 2019. Each hotel segment shows a different recovery rate. Three-star hotels and below had an occupancy rate of only 45% in September, whereas four-star hotels and above achieved 58.7%. Regionally, hotel occupancy rates varied significantly. The north saw its occupancy rate drop from 50% in August to 25.7% in September due to severe flooding in key areas of several provinces. The central region posted the highest occupancy rate at 64.4%, followed by the east at 57.1%. Both the south and northeast recorded 49%, according to Thienprasit.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The chopping of the Tor Mor 6 small arrival registration form is a staging post to a wholly electronic visitor entry system. Historically, the TM6 was distributed to airline passengers about to land who, always wearily and often unreadably, scribbled their Thai address and local phone number after borrowing their neighbor’s pen. It was abolished for airline passengers as early as July 2022, partly out of covid concerns and partly because it was generally pointless. However, the form survived for some visitors by land and all by sea until now suspended on October 16 by the Cabinet at least until April 2025. By then, according to the interior ministry, the ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization should be in place for all visa-exempt foreigners, the ones from 93 countries who receive 60 days on arrival. These countries include all the nations providing significant numbers of international vacationers. These guys and gals, probably by Easter next year, have to apply online for permission to enter Thailand and, on permitted arrival, will be able to pass through immigration’s electronic gates at entry points with a personally-provided QR code. The individuals will likely be refused boarding at airports or refused entry at seaports and border checkpoints unless the bureaucracy has been successfully completed. Although the ETA, required for every visit, will be notionally free that’s not the end of the story. Thailand will introduce the long-delayed tourist tax of 300 baht by air and 150 baht by land and sea. It has long been argued that collecting cash at entry points would lead to long queues and much frustration by visitors and immigration officers alike. ETA provides the answer by insisting you pay beforehand and electronically by card. At some stage in 2025 the ETA system will be extended to include all foreigners entering Thailand, including all non-immigrant visa holders such as retirees. Such a system is becoming common worldwide, for example in UK which starts its electronic entry bureaucracy for all visitors next month. Basically, ETA replaces decisions by immigration officers on the ground by prior electronic checking of wannabe entrants. Before that can happen, Thai authorities have to combine several independent data bases which currently check for passport authenticity, prior travel history, criminal history in Thailand and international warrants. The 300-150 baht tourist tax, eventually to be levied on all foreigners except those with a valid work permit or permanent residence status, will be used to update tourist sites and provide limited insurance for tourists including compensation for loss of limbs or death. It is decidedly not comprehensive medical insurance for all. Once ETA is fully in place, it will be powered by machine learning and the algorithm used will automatically perform all pre-examination tests. Questions often asked such as “How many times can you do a border run with visa exempt?”, or “Can I use my Destination Thailand Visa again by leaving Thailand and returning the same day?” will be settled remotely. Where technological advancement leaves traditional visa extensions at local immigration offices, or paper trails such as the “housemaster” TM30 and the 90 days report, can only be deferred to our technological future. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/the-real-deal-about-the-end-of-one-of-thailands-unpopular-address-forms-476283

Definitely, it has to be new procedure.

From Pattaya Mail Play ball or footsie with the Thai Revenue Department By Barry Kenyon The TRD rule revision – it’s not actually a change in the law – to tax assessable overseas income remitted to Thailand since January 1 2024 continues to baffle many elderly expats. A recent Pattaya poll of 100 retirees and Facebook blogger research suggest that the overwhelming majority have only a faint idea about the implications for them. The typical reaction stated was to carry on regardless with a threat to quit Thailand if the taxman comes knocking. Of course, not everyone needs to worry. Those Thais or foreigners who spend less than a total of 180 days here in the calendar year 2024 are not deemed to be tax residents. Also exempt are those who are remitting income here which was actually earned in the year 2023, or earlier, as well as those who do not transfer any overseas cash at all in the current calendar year. Those who hold a 10-year Long Term Residence visa are also excused, although some accountants point to the small-print audit which will occur after the first five years completion. Some expats have signed up with tax lawyers or accountants who offer to act on their behalf. The general advice given so far seems to emphasize that the company will take care, if necessary, when the form filling season is upon us – January to March 2025. One is kinda reminded of the requirement for expats leaving Thailand in the 1980s to get a civil servant to stamp an immigration-required form (the informal fee was 500 baht) which stated that there was no income tax due. Of course, tax affairs are much more sophisticated these days. The experts are not unanimous. ASEAN Now runs a huge and popular forum about remitted income, but the top-notch contributors often disagree. Does use of a foreign credit card here count as assessable income? Are double taxation agreements the loophole hoped for? Is cash remitted to Thailand to buy a condominium taxable income? Is the TRD anyway interested in pensioned expats with a modest income? Will anything awful happen if you hide your head in the sand? Ask ten experts and you’ll get several contradictory interpretations. Some commentators see the salvation army arriving in December. This is traditionally the season for TRD to print new forms, so maybe there will be a commentary (in English) making clear all that has hitherto been speculative. Others will say that detailed notes are not the TRD style. The Thai tax system is an honor exercise. That means it’s your responsibility to get a tax identification number and fill in a tax form if you believe you need to. It’s not required to provide supporting documentation unless later you are chosen for audit. The fact you submit a tax return does not necessarily mean you have anything to pay. The real test for expats will be if the visa renewal process, for example for the annual retiree extensions at immigration, were to be linked to registration with TRD. But even that futuristic scenario is fraught with problems. It’s quite possible to clock up 180 days in a calendar year using visa exempt entries or tourist visas such as the new Destination Thailand Visa: simply extend at immigration or do a couple of border runs. Perhaps the best advice, at any rate for now, is to wait in the wings. Neighboring Vietnam specifically excludes overseas pension income from cash described as taxable. Such a welcome move here would turn the whole personal income tax debate upside down. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/foreign-retirees-ponder-whether-to-play-ball-or-footsie-with-the-thai-revenue-department-476178

Usually use Airport Rail Link but arrived too late last night an proceeded to taxi stand. Machine asks you to select type of car you want (for 2 or 4 persons; difference is initial meter reading 35 or 45 so I pushed former button and got receipt directing me to parking space 220). There must have been close to 50 taxis waiting. After telling driver my destination, he handed me his phone which he had switched to English and asked to enter name of condo. It quickly populated screen and we were off. When I noticed he hadn’t yet started meter, I said “meter please” and he promptly turned it on and asked, “highway’, to which I replied yes. Very little traffic and all green lights when we got of expressway. Fare came to 277 on meter plus 50 baht airport fee and 75 baht for tolls. Driver looked nearly old as me so tipped him well for good ride.

Glad to see that US Department of Transportation and its director, Pete Buttigeg, took the initiative in this incident.

After landing late last night, my JAL flight arrived at gate directly opposite immigration. Just as I entered “International Passport” side, young officer asked my age. When I told her, she directed me Priority lane. Either new procedure or evidence of advancing age. 🙂

They could have at least had the decency to turn around. 🙂 From The Thaiger A municipal official in Pattaya is seeking justice after two Thai men attempted to assault him for warning them not to pee in the sea. The men also refused to pay fines for their wrongdoing. The chief of Jomtien Pattaya Municipality Office, Sawate Permpoon, reached out to Channel 7 to share the confrontation with two Thai men on Sunday, October 13 at about 2pm, and also to raise awareness among other beachgoers to help keep the beach and sea clean. Sawate told the media that the office received a complaint from tourists enjoying the beach, who reported that two men were urinating into the sea in front of many beachgoers. The complainants also shared a picture of the men with the officials. Sawate and his team immediately rushed to the scene to warn the men about their illegal actions. He pointed out that their behaviour damaged Pattaya’s image and violated the Cleanliness and Orderliness Act of Pattaya City. According to Sawate, the men ignored his warning and became angry at him and his subordinates, so they left the scene and returned to the office. However, the two followed them to the office, where another argument ensued. https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/shorely-not-pattaya-official-demands-justice-after-sea-pee-clash

From The Nation The 29th Book Expo Thailand 2024 opened last Thursday (October 10) to a sizeable crowd and will continue until October 20, offering bookworms 10 days of literary delight. This year’s fair adopts the theme “Reading into the Afterlife” and features the legendary ghost "Krasue" as the symbol of reading, with its glowing internal light representing the ability to read books. Knowledge is compared to this guiding light, illuminating paths for people. The fair saw a bustling crowd over the weekend, with people packing the subway to reach the venue. Once inside the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, groups of young readers could be seen shopping for books. Every aisle at the fair, filled with publishing houses and bookstores, was crowded. Interestingly, many of the visitors were young, partly because of the mid-term school holiday, with all eager to snap up works by their favourite authors. Suwit Rungwatanapaiboon, president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), told the media that the book industry grew by 5-10% in the first nine months of the year. While the number may seem small, it doesn't yet include online sales. The most popular genres among readers are: Novels – leading at 45% Manga and Japanese teen light novels – 27% Self-help and healing books – 17% Exam preparation guides – 9% General books – 2% In the novels category, BL (Boys’ Love) novels featuring same-gender relationships, particularly male-male love stories,are enjoying a strong presence. Each booth from various publishers offers a wide range of BL novels, with elaborate displays and attractive protagonists that draw readers in. Both Thai and international fans can't resist taking photos at the beautifully decorated booths. he fair also sees a strong presence of bespectacled young male readers, similar to previous years. These fans flock to booths featuring manga and light novels, not only to buy books but also to support non-book items like figures and other premium goods. The National Book Fair is spread over 20,000 square metres and boasts more than 2 million books from 286 publishers across 855 booths, along with more than 100 activities for visitors to enjoy. The association expects around 1.6 million attendees this year, up from 1.3 million previously, with sales expected to reach 460-480 million baht, surpassing last year’s 400 million baht. The overall book industry in 2024 is projected to be valued at 16 billion baht. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/life/art-culture/40042360

From The Nation Thailand made up for lost time last night (October 14), emerging victorious in the final of the King’s Cup in its first win in 7 years. The match, which was held at theTinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla, saw the national team, currently ranked 100th in the world, facing Syria, ranked 92nd. Thailand took the lead in the 44th minute with a goal from Ekanit Panya. However, in the 53rd minute, Syria equalised with a goal from Ezequiel Ham. In stoppage time, at 90+1, Thailand's captain, Chanathip Songkrasin, scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory. This marks Thailand's first King's Cup win in 7 years and their 16th title overall. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/sport/40042361

From Pattaya Mail Thailand – It will not be possible to purchase alcohol in Thailand, except at international airports, for the whole of Thursday 17 October (from midnight to midnight). This is in recognition of the End of Buddhist Lent, Auk Phansa, a very significant date in the Buddhist calendar. However, Auk Phansa is not a public holiday: thus immigration, banks and public services will be open as usual. However, they will be closed for the public holiday celebrating Chulalongkorn Day on Wednesday October 23. Chulalongkorn is not an alcohol-free day.

From Barron's / AFP Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet kept a low profile at the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, holding meetings on the sidelines with fellow leaders but making no public statements to the media. An ex-military man, he marched straight past waiting reporters as he arrived for summit sessions, his most animated moment a jovial conversation with Singapore's foreign minister. More than a year after inheriting power from his father Hun Sen, he has yet to hold an open news conference to explain how he will navigate challenges including balancing China and the West. In contrast, Hun Sen regularly opines on government policy to his millions of social media followers. Analysts say the father remains the power behind the throne in the Southeast Asian nation. Officially, Hun Sen stepped down last year after nearly four decades of iron-fisted rule, passing the baton to his eldest son following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties. In February, Hun Sen took over as president of the senate, the country's second-highest ceremonial role after King Norodom Sihamoni, and has since hosted every foreign dignitary visiting the country -- just as he did when prime minister. A few months later, he openly stated his enduring authority. "I have not finished my political life," he told an audience of government officials and foreign dignitaries. "I am the father of the prime minister." Continues at https://www.barrons.com/news/the-son-almost-rises-cambodia-s-hun-sen-the-power-behind-throne-b8bc2b5d ============= From MSN Anti-Vietnam Sentiment Is Raising the Heat on Cambodia's Huns Cambodia is packing it in on a 25-year-old regional agreement with neighboring Laos and Vietnam. In a surprise move, Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen-who stepped down a year ago but remains the head of the all-powerful Cambodian People's Party-announced the country's withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area, or CLV, in late September. The announcement came after a protest movement and subsequent crackdown fueled by fears of Vietnamese encroachment, raising questions about Cambodia's future role in regional affairs. The CLV has long roots. It was first broached in 1999 at an unofficial meeting between the then-leaders of the three countries-including Hun Sen himself-as a way to strengthen stability and trilateral interconnectivity, while also acknowledging that many of the countries' provincial communities have long had transborder cultural, social and business ties. When it was officially launched in 2004, the agreement covered 10 border provinces-four in Vietnam and three each in Laos and Cambodia-with an additional province in each country added in 2009. For nearly two decades, investments and development through the CLV gathered pace without incident. Then, earlier this year, an online movement of Cambodians began objecting en masse to the agreement, citing border security and sovereignty as their key sources of concern. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/anti-vietnam-sentiment-is-raising-the-heat-on-cambodia-s-huns/ar-AA1rXKqA