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Phoenix Massage is offering a discount of 200 baht off the regular 799 baht shop fee for the next three days. Tip to masseur 1200.

From The Nation Thailand, a country of rich culture, history, and biodiversity, boasts an impressive collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites offer a glimpse into the country's ancient civilisations, remarkable architecture, and diverse ecosystems. Here are the key UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand: 1. Ayutthaya Historical Park The Ayutthaya Historical Park is a testament to Thailand's ancient capital, Ayutthaya, which was founded in 1350. As a former kingdom, it flourished for more than 400 years, becoming one of the world’s largest urban areas and a centre of global diplomacy and commerce. The ruins of palaces, temples and sculptures display the grandeur of the city, blending Thai, Khmer, Sri Lankan and Persian influences. This site is significant for its exceptional historical and architectural value. 2. Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Ban Chiang, located in northeastern Thailand, is one of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites. The site reveals evidence of early agricultural practices and the development of metallurgy, dating back over 5,000 years. Artefacts such as pottery and bronze tools offer insights into the ancient civilisation that thrived here. This site is critical for understanding the development of human societies in the region. 3. Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex is a vast tropical forest ecosystem stretching across central Thailand. This site is known for its rich biodiversity, including endangered species such as tigers, elephants and gibbons. It provides essential ecological functions and habitat for rare and threatened species. The forest is a perfect example of how natural landscapes can sustain biodiversity and vital environmental processes. 4. Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex Located in the border area of Thailand and Myanmar, the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex is Thailand’s largest national park and a significant natural World Heritage site. It is a refuge for a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and various species of birds. The park's complex ecosystems support a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and its preservation is critical for maintaining regional biodiversity. 5. Phu Phrabat Historical Park Situated in northeastern Thailand, Phu Phrabat is known for its ancient rock art, stone sculptures, and sacred sites. The park features unique geological formations, including natural rock outcrops and ancient religious monuments. These remnants tell the story of early civilisations in Thailand and their relationship with nature and spirituality. Phu Phrabat's cultural significance makes it a key site for understanding the region’s early development. 6. Si Thep Ancient Town Si Thep, an ancient town located in central Thailand, was once a prosperous trading centre during the Dvaravati period (6th to 11th century). Its ruins include remnants of a fortified city, Buddhist monuments, and Hindu-inspired architecture. Si Thep’s historical importance lies in its role as a centre for cultural exchange between Indian, Khmer, and local Southeast Asian traditions, providing valuable insights into Thailand's early civilisations. 7. Sukhothai Historical Park Sukhothai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam, is celebrated for its exceptional architectural and artistic achievements. The Sukhothai Historical Park contains the ruins of temples, palaces, and statues that reflect the grandeur of the Sukhothai kingdom. Known as the cradle of Thai civilisation, the city is recognised for its distinctive art and architecture, which influenced later Thai kingdoms, including Ayutthaya. 8. Thungyai–Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries The Thungyai–Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries are a vast and biologically diverse region in western Thailand. These sanctuaries are home to numerous endangered species, including the Indochinese tiger, wild elephants, and a variety of birds. The region’s natural landscapes of mountains, forests, and wetlands provide critical habitats for these species. The shrines are essential for wildlife conservation and for preserving biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40044728

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From Pattaya News At 11:06 PM on December 30th, 2024, Pattaya police were alerted to a grim discovery near a resort in Naklua. The body of a foreigner, yet to be identified, was found in a highly unusual position—folded and wedged into a 50×50 cm drainpipe, with legs pointing upward. Pattaya police secured the area and inspected the scene, including the third-floor rooftop of a nearby building. They noted scrape marks on a large tree adjacent to the drain. Resort staff reported that another tourist first spotted the body, prompting immediate notification of authorities. Pattaya police are collaborating with forensic experts and investigators from Chonburi Province to determine the cause of death and the circumstances leading to the incident. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/01/pattaya-police-investigate-mysterious-death-of-foreign-tourist-in-pattaya-resort/

From NY Times The Vientiane Railway Station is one of the new behemoth train stations in Laos that feature peaked red roofs and cavernous waiting rooms.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times By Christine Chung Christine Chung, a travel reporter, spent a week in Laos, traveling by train and bus. Jan. 1, 2025 Laos, a place that feels stuck in time, is at the precipice of change. Backpackers found the country decades ago, drawn by staggeringly beautiful limestone mountains, elaborate Buddhist temples and an unhurried and inexpensive pace of life. Only the most intrepid travelers followed, as Laos, Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country, operated few — and no long-haul — flights, and potholed and shoddy roads were the norm. Those who made it traded no-frills accommodations and hourslong bumpy drives for adventure, and almost always tacked Laos onto multicountry itineraries that included neighboring Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, all well-oiled tourism machines that each draw at least three times the number of visitors than Laos annually. Laos wants to change that. While flights remain limited, the country’s visitor infrastructure has strengthened in recent years with new hotels, improved highways and, most notably, a new train system that runs as fast as 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour and connects some of the country’s most popular tourism destinations. Last year, the government designated 2024 a national tourism year, expanding visa waivers, improving tour guide training, and holding dozens of grand festivals. Yet the country and its tourism industry were shaken in November, when at least six young tourists fell ill in the town of Vang Vieng and later died. Officials suspect methanol-tainted alcohol is the cause. I had visited Vang Vieng in July, when my partner, Eli, and I set out for a weeklong trip in Laos. We had wondered what it would be like to visit a country on the cusp of a potential tourism boom, particularly one with a longstanding reputation as an inexpensive, under-the-radar destination. We traveled mostly by rail, but also by bus, to find out. Continues at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/travel/laos-vientiane-luang-prabang-train.html

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – If you think Pattaya is a city in transition, take a look at Cambodia’s capital. Twenty already completed condominiums and many more work-in-progress office tower blocks are changing the skyline in an apparently unending concrete revolution. Cement mixers and cranes don’t know the festive season has arrived as workers struggle 24/7 to complete a luxury, 500-room hotel before the Chinese investors arrive next month. Pop music tries to drown out the sound of drills. Phnom Penh still has its fair share of western tourists as well as visa runners, mostly seeking the five year Destination Thailand Visa which is certainly the current favorite. At Harry’s bar on the Riverfront, where draught beer costs half the price in Pattaya, British digital nomad Kevin Noon complains, “I’m stuck here until after new year as the Thai embassy wanted more documents. His friend Michael suggests he should have gone to Laos. A bit late now. Otherwise the talk is all about “dedollarization” or the increasing insistence on using the Cambodian riel when spending money. Traditionally Cambodia has paraded the US dollar as the currency of choice, but these days markets, restaurants and bars will willingly accept the US currency but give change in riel with a rate of exchange of 4,100 to the buck. Because you can’t change riel outside Cambodia, you’ll soon accumulate tens or hundreds of thousands in confusing paper money which you need to get rid of before leaving the country. merica is no longer the tops here. As Cambodia slips increasingly into the Chinese orbit, you can’t find CNN on the hotel’s TV menu choice. Not even the BBC, by the way, although Sky News seems to have survived, perhaps because so much airtime is taken up with repeat weather forecasts. Cambodia is an ex-colony of France, but no Cambodian under 80 can now speak French with any confidence. The language survives only in the definite article “Le” in many hotel names and, curiously, the word “Gendarmerie” printed on the jackets of a few traffic police.Christmas and New Year see several principal roads at Riverside converted solely for pedestrian use at peak hours, with hundreds of thousands of two, three and four wheeled vehicles pushed unceremoniously onto minor roads already barely passable because of parked vehicles. This is surely the only city in the world where hotel security staff will hold your hand whilst you try to get a foothold on the pavement outside. Even the very posh casino might offer you a free drink to continue playing during those three-hour periods when any tortoise would win a race with motorized vehicles. Phnom Penh’s sexy night life so far has been left alone. There are a cluster of streets lined with bars and short-skirted ladies reminiscent of Pattaya’s soi six. The strain on your wallet is less than in Pattaya assuming you are not drunk or naive. Transvestites are not numerous and very easy to spot as they invariably stand with both hands on their hips, pucker their lips and stick their tongue out. The city’s most popular gay bar Blue Chilli has now moved into the heterosexual district but concentrates on drag shows rather than pickups according to the doorman. However, he did want to know if I was a policeman. All in all, Phnom Penh is exhilarating for about a week. For longer, Up to You. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/phnom-penh-at-christmas-and-new-year-is-certainly-challenging-485675

Post moved to Cambodia section of Gay Asia forum.

From The Nation The Thai Stamp Museum has announced the release of two sets of collectible postage stamps for 2025, one of which features a drawing by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The first set comprises 10 stamps, each with a face value of 3 baht. These vertical stamps will feature a drawing of three snakes by the Princess, along with her signature. This will be the 11th release in the Princess’ Year of Zodiacs series, which has been issued annually since 2015. This year marks the Chinese Year of the Snake and the Princess drew three little snakes in green, pink and yellow, with the caption, “won’t take fish, but snakes”. The Princess explained that she wanted Thais to study issues thoroughly, instead of just learning things shallowly as the Thai idiom says, “learning like snakes and fishes”. The stamp’s design was created by Thanet Polchaiwong of Thailand Post. The second set of stamps, meanwhile, will be released on National Children’s Day on January 11 and will feature two designs based on “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40044722

From Pattaya News At 5:00 PM on December 30th, 2024, a 38-year-old Chinese man, name withheld at his request, filed a complaint with Pattaya police, claiming he was assaulted by security staff and associates at a prominent condominium in central Pattaya. Arriving at the station with blood on his face and supported by friends, the tourist alleged the conflict began after his online room booking, made through an independent agency, was abruptly canceled due to undisclosed “room issues.” Frustrated after paying 24,000 baht for two rooms and not getting support from the agency, he confronted the condo staff, according to the police. The situation escalated however when the condo staff stated to the Chinese tourist that they were not liable or involved with independent room bookings and that the tourist would need to resolve the issue with the agency himself. This further angered the tourist and he was asked to leave the condo premises, but when he demanded to speak to a manager or higher level authority security staff allegedly dragged him into a guard post, used foul language, and attacked him while throwing him off the property. The injured man claimed up to six individuals joined in, ignoring attempts by bystanders to intervene. Initially, police have recorded the complaint and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and prosecute the alleged perpetrators. They also plan to speak with both the juristic office at the condo and the agency that booked the property. The name of the condo has been withheld by police pending further investigation. Police noted, however, that AIRBNB style bookings for less than a month are illegal in Thailand unless the property has a hotel license, so condo staff not wanting to get involved was not surprising. Additionally, many condo juristic offices have a “hands off” policy of dealing with disputes between tenants and landlords/agencies, instead usually directing the two parties to resolve any situations between each other or with legal assistance. However, regardless of whether or not the booking process was against regulations, any assault on upset people is unacceptable, stressed police, who also reminded both condo and property owners and tenants to immediately call police for assistance if a situation is escalating and not to attempt to resolve it themselves with physical action.

From The Nation The former PM’s return to Thailand after 17 years in exile marked a dramatic shift in Thailand’s political landscape and the decline of big power players In 2024, Thailand’s political scene was dominated by Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister whose every move captured public attention. After 17 years in self-exile overseas, Thaksin made a highly publicised return to Thailand in August 2023. Though sentenced to eight years in prison, he never set foot in a jail cell, instead spending his detention in a VIP room in the Police General Hospital, citing deteriorating health. Thaksin remained in hospital “detention” long enough to qualify for a sentence reduction to one year, and was eventually granted a royal pardon on July 28. The clemency was granted as part of celebrations marking His Majesty’s 6th cycle birthday (72 years). A pivotal moment came when Srettha Thavisin, known for his tireless work ethic, was removed as prime minister by the Constitutional Court on August 14. The court ruled that Srettha had violated the Constitution and breached ethical standards by nominating former controversial lawyer Pichit Chuenban as a minister without portfolio. Pichit had been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court after attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials. Srettha’s dismissal opened the door for Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, to take over as Thailand’s 31st prime minister on August 16. Thaksin, meanwhile, has been a central figure of power, hosting coalition leaders at his residence to pave the way for Paetongtarn’s rise. He dismissed the meeting’s significance, jokingly referring to it as a gathering for instant noodles. Aware of the potential for external disruptions, including a possible resurgence of former deputy premier Prawit Wongsuwan, Thaksin acted decisively to consolidate power and avoid delays in positioning his daughter as prime minister. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40044691

Where I wish I was.......

Let me buy you a drink.

...and four times less than what's expected in New York or London.

All good things to those who wait.

Although the massage scene in and around Silom hasn't changed too much, new shops are popping up in greater Bangkok at a steady pace that it makes it impossible to get a complete and current handle on it, I find. Over the past year, shops that have minimum tips are holding steady in Saphan Kwai (800-1200). In Silom, only a few places (i.e., Senso) have minimum tip but they are experiencing uptrend. Otherwise I would say tip expectations are a bit higher than SK. Just talked with friend in Bangkok who works in bar and he says it is extremely busy with tourists. ST expectation for non-models is generally 2500.

No one outside of his hand-picked doctor knows his true medical outlook. Vance's succession could be the Black Swan event no one is taking about.

The guy who's maintaining lowest profile is JD Vance. Like any VP, his number one job is to inquire daily about health of the president.🙄

From Time Moo Deng might seem to most people like just an adorable viral baby hippo, but to the government of Thailand, where she’s from, she’s a cultural ambassador and shining example of the country’s push to boost what it calls its “soft power.” The term soft power was coined at the height of the Cold War by American political scientist Joseph Nye, who used it to describe “when one country gets other countries to want what it wants” without the use of force, in contrast to the hard power “of ordering others to do what it wants.” But in the last year and a half, since the Pheu Thai party came to power in August 2023, Thailand has sought to redefine soft power instead as getting others to want what it has—with a particular emphasis on highlighting the country’s cultural prominence to attract tourists and foreign investment. Moo Deng isn’t alone. Lalisa “LISA” Manobal, the Thai singer and member of K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK, has also been hailed for her contributions to Thailand’s “soft power.” While Thailand’s cultural wave has been bubbling up for years and “soft power” was also promoted by previous governments, the major push kickstarted when Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, just weeks after his election last year, announced the formation of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), which laid out 11 key focus areas: food, gaming, festivals, music, film, literature, arts, design, sports, fashion, and tourism. In the months since, Thailand has supported extending its Songkran festival from three days to a month, legalizing same-sex marriage, and promoting Thai-made film and TV (from its own exports like the critically acclaimed How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and award-winning Hunger to international productions like the upcoming season of The White Lotus and the forthcoming installment of the Jurassic World franchise), among other measures—all in the name of boosting its “soft power.” Continues at https://time.com/7203306/thailand-government-soft-power-moo-deng-lisa-economy/

From MSN The Cambodian government decided to reduce e-visa fees for tourists and businesses or ordinary people from January 2025. It said in a news release on Dec. 28 that the fee for tourist type (e-visa T) would be slashed to $30 from the current $36 while that for regular type (e-visa E) would be lowered to $35 from the current $42. Cambodia is expected to welcome around 6.7 million foreign visitors and 22 million domestic tourists this year, surpassing the numbers recorded before the Covid pandemic in 2019.

There's a lesson in these tales. When you meet a truly loyal guy return that loyalty. They met as many butterflies as we meet guys who ghost us.

From Bangkok Post The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has unearthed details of the gorilla baby smuggling network based at Chatuchak Market, says DNP director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa. The buyer who tried to bring in a baby gorilla from Türkiye was a millionaire businessman who collects exotic animals, he said without disclosing details. He also ordered a crackdown at the market for being involved in ordering the gorilla, classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) which regulates export/imports of the species. The infant gorilla was smuggled in a wooden box on a flight from Nigeria to Bangkok and was confiscated by the Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Dec 21. The shipment was supposed to contain 50 rabbits. Mr Atthapol said the person who made the order lives in Asia and collects exotic animals. Investigators found the case was tied to a shop in Chatuchak Market as it acts as a centre for ordering and selling exotic animals from abroad. "When someone wants exotic animals, they go there because it has a network for importing and exporting exotic animals," he said. Pol Maj Gen Watcharin Phusit, commander of the Natural Resource and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) said police searched the pet shop on Friday. The shop is owned by TK Farm in Nakhon Pathom which police raided on Dec 25. The company is registered as an animal importer and breeder. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2929597/baby-gorilla-probe-reveals-smugglers-at-chatuchak

UPDATE From Bangkok Post The three victims of the hotel fire near Khao San Road in Bangkok have been identified – including a Brazilian woman whose boyfriend proposed to her last week – as tourism authorities were preparing compensation. The three who perished in the blaze at The Ember Hotel on Tanee Road near Khao San Road late Sunday night were identified as a 24-year-old Brazilian woman, Pimentel Canales Albuquerque, a 27-year-old Ukrainian man, Tuzov Victor, and a 35-year-old American man, Freeman Timothy Jr. The woman died in the room where the fire is believed to have started. The two men were pronounced dead at Vajira Hospital and Samitivej Chinatown Hospital. Seven people were injured, including an electrician at the hotel, Sorawut Liewhamai, and two Netherlanders, Marvin Holtkamp and Nadine Hueftlein. The Bangkok governor said the hotel had been developed by the modification of 11 connected commercial building units covering a combined area of 1,515 square metres. The hotel opened in April 2022. There were two fire exits and sufficient fire extinguishers, but no sprinkler system because it was a small hotel that was not required to have such equipment, he said. Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, said the fire likely started in the bed in Room 511 because its mattress was completely burnt and only coil springs were left. The structure of the hotel was intact, he said. It was reported that three Korean men had stayed in Room 511, but they were not there when the fire broke out. A hotel staff member rushed to the room at the sound of the fire alarm. When the employee opened the door, black smoke quickly billowed out. Detectives were looking for the Korean men to question them about the possible cause of the fire. Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent secretary for tourism and sports, said the government would pay 1 million baht in compensation for each death case and 500,000 baht for each injury case. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2929935/bangkok-hotel-fire-victims-identified-compensation-prepared

UPDATE: Khao San hotel fire From The Nation Three people died and seven others were injured in a fire that broke out at a six-storey hotel in the Khao San area of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district at around 9.40pm on Sunday. According to Bangkok officials, the fire started on the fifth floor of the hotel, where 39 hotel staff and tourists were staying. Three bucket trucks were deployed to evacuate people stranded on the roof and inside the building. Firefighters were quickly on the scene and brought the fire under control within an hour. Of the total 75 guests, one woman was found dead inside a room on the fifth floor. Another two died later at the hospital. The seven injured people were two Thai men, a Japanese man, a foreign woman, a German man, a German woman and a Chinese man. Bartender Pattarapol Kopornsrisanga said he noticed smoke while working on the sixth floor and told guests to evacuate immediately. He added that many of the residents escaped either by heading down to street level or up to the roof, but admitted that he was in a state of panic. Nongnuch Srilom, a merchant who witnessed the incident, said she heard a sound before she saw the smoke. Tourists ran from the hotel to seek assistance, and some collapsed to the ground. She expressed concern that the fire had broken out in a predominantly tourist area. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40044632

From Khaosod English Three foreign tourists have died following a fire that broke out at The Ember Hotel, a six-story building in Bangkok, late Sunday night. One tourist was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others passed away at the hospital. Another victim remains hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, revealed that the fire originated in room 511 on the fifth floor. Surviving tourists are providing statements at Chana Songkhram Police Station as investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze. The forensics team is currently collecting evidence to build a case against those who may be responsible. The Pharam Radio Center received the fire alert at 9:30 p.m. on December 29 at The Ember Hotel on Tanee Road, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon district. Bangkok’s Fire and Rescue Department deployed three aerial ladder trucks to rescue guests trapped inside the building, with some tourists taking refuge on the hotel’s rooftop. Emergency responders rushed four tourists suffering from smoke inhalation to nearby hospitals. Firefighters finally contained the blaze by 10:30 p.m. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Deputy Interior Minister Teearat Samretwanich arrived at the scene at 11:00 p.m. Governor Chadchart reported that nearly 40 tourists and hotel staff had fled to the building’s rooftop out of the total 75 guests staying at the hotel. Three aerial ladder trucks were used to gradually evacuate the victims. “The fire spread was limited due to the swift response from firefighters,” Chadchart stated. “However, heavy smoke posed a significant challenge.” He ordered the temporary closure of the hotel pending a thorough safety inspection. “We must restore tourist confidence in safety measures, especially with New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations approaching,” he added. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/12/30/investigation-underway-as-bangkok-hotel-fire-claims-tourist-lives/

He was unlucky as America's 39th president but he was the most successful after leaving office. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Carter conducted himself in a manner best described as the antithesis of Trump. R.I.P.