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Huge crowd calls on government to quit From Bangkok Post As darkness fell at Bangkok's Democracy Monument, the numbers of student protesters calling on the government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to quit swelled past 10,000. The peaceful but high-spirited rally began on Sunday afternoon and by evening engulfed an area stretching from the Democracy Monument roundabout, where activists and comedians spoke from a stage, to beyond Khok Wua intersection in the direction of Sanam Luang. The Metropolitan Police Bureau put the crowd at 12,000 at around 7pm, while organisers claimed more than 20,000 were calling for a restoration of full democracy. Vehicles were barred from entering the area for the safety of the demonstrators, while police were using the compound of Satriwithaya School as a command centre for officers to maintain law and order. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has pleaded for calm and patience from security authorities deployed at the rally site, while a small group of pro-royalist agitators withdrew from the area to avoid confrontation. Speakers at the rally held by the student-led Free Youth movement and the Free People group reaffirmed their three demands: the dissolution of the House, the commencement of writing a new constitution and an end to harrassment of government critics. Trakul Meechai, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, told Thai PBS the government and Parliament should hold an urgent meeting to address their calls and make clear their positions on the demands. The new round of anti-government protests started on July 18 before spreading into several provinces, particularly at school and university campuses.

Even if you don't enter the bars, you're obviously an observant person judging from your reports on trips to other counties. Tell us what you see when you walk around the Silom/Surawong area. Are there many guys outside the massage shops? Which ones are open? Did you find any attractive? That would be a real service to those of us who can't be there. Many members appreciate your fine contributions to the photo forum. But first-hand accounts of what's really happening in Bangkok is what we craze.

You do so enjoy throwing cold water on any news that indicates tourism may be restored in form or another. The article's author was the same writer at Pattaya News that Gaybutton cited for "presenting facts" in another thread on tourism. That seemed like a pretty good endorsement to me. Btw, when the Suan Dusit poll results were reported here on June 14, indicating that "nearly 76% answered ‘No’ when asked if Thailand’s borders should be open again to incoming foreigners," you never raised an issue with how that poll was conducted. As a retired expat with time on your hands, why not conduct a poll that rises to your standards? Contact more people and get your thumb on the pulse of the masses (but try to include some unemployed from the northeast of the nation). Better yet, get out there and give readers some venue reports instead of criticism. Two other expat members who live inthe City of Angels have provided us with fine stuff. Michael's latest "walk" was a breath of fresh air with some rollicking good laughs. We've never needed that more than now. We anxiously await your views on the bars instead of the polls (note: those shiny "poles" that the boys bang their dicks on are fine).

I thought this was common knowledge

From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: In a neighbouring province of the Thai capital, in one of the metropolis' hottest and most polluted industrial zones is not an obvious place to start a farming enterprise. But above the dusty, busy streets in Samut Sakhon, a concrete space that before had done little except radiate heat is now a little oasis. A sprinkler gently sprays water across beds of leafy plants and herbs and flowers. It is peaceful up here. Importantly though, this rooftop garden has become a place of function and purpose for those who tend it. The building is home to the Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN), an organisation that provides legal and social assistance to vulnerable overseas workers. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, migrant workers were among those who lost their livelihoods and were unable to return to their home countries due to ongoing border restrictions. Suthasinee Keawleklai, MWRN’s coordinator, soon saw a growing problem - these workers were going hungry. “I noticed that people were starving because they had to cut their living expenses because they were furloughed and had lost their jobs. They had to do whatever it took to save money. They came to ask us for vegetable cuttings,” she said. Instead of trying to find ways to donate food, she looked up. “A friend of mine who’s into organic farming suggested that we should grow more vegetables. I told my friend that there’s no space. My friend said ‘if you have a rooftop, it can be done’,” she recounted. A few months on, about 30 migrants - mostly workers from Myanmar and their families - care for the garden themselves in their free time, transferring seeds, cleaning and watering the transformed space. And the vegetables have become a daily food staple during uncertain times. “Whoever comes can just grab them This is what we do. We don’t separate who helps or who doesn’t help. If they come here, they can take the vegetables to eat,” said Ko Saw, a member of MWRN and now a keen gardener. Rooftop gardens like this are not designed to be relied upon for food, but they can play an important role in filling gaps during times of crisis. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked interest in urban farming over the past few months. In Thailand, looming concerns about food insecurity driven by climate change also means that urban farming is poised to be a crucial long-term resilience tool. Continues with photos and video https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/urban-farming-thailand-bangkok-covid-19-climate-change-12997170

From Pattaya News Study finds 82% of Thais “confident” in reopening tourism sector As Thailand gradually reopens its borders, new findings from a global study suggests that 82% of Thais are confident that Thailand is well prepared to reopen its tourism and leisure activities, the highest globally. The study also found that tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, and India are all targeting Thailand as their first destination when their countries’ borders reopen. Jointly conducted by leading social research agency Blackbox Research, data provider Dynata, and language partner Language Connect, “Unravel Travel: Fear & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (Covid-19) World” examined the sentiments, preferences, and expectations of 10,195 people across 17 countries regarding travel in a post-Covid-19 world. Thailand’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with foreign tourist revenue contributing around 11% to the national economy. The vast majority (93%) of Thais recognise the importance of the tourism sector to the local economy. In fact, 22% of Thais agree that there is an urgent need for tourism boards, including their own, to promote tourism for economic reasons – the highest globally. Saurabh Sardana, CEO of Blackbox Research, says that both regional interest and citizen sentiment toward restarting local tourism have been encouraging, especially given the country’s phased approach in reopening to business and medical tourists. Sardana notes that establishing traveller’s trust in health and safety protocols is key, and that Thailand needs to capitalise on its success in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. “It is evident from our findings the immense value tourism contributes to Thailand’s economy. As Thailand progressively opens its borders to international visitors, its immediate priority will be to regain traveller confidence, through reinforcing how Thailand has in place strict health and safety measures, keeping everyone safe. Amongst Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has the strongest domestic appeal. 91% of Thais are keen to support local travel attractions in the next 12 months – a positive sign given Thailand’s recent investment of 22.4 billion baht (US$720 million) to stimulate its domestic tourism, of which partial financial aid will be provided to local tourists for selected hotels and restaurants throughout the country.

From Reuters LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Laos in South East Asia faces a material risk of default, ratings agency Moody's warned on Friday as it cut the country's credit rating heavily. The Laos government has $1.2 billion of debt payments due before the end of the year and $1 billion on average each year until 2025, with Moody's saying that the country - wedged between Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China - appears to have no "credible" strategy to meet its debt obligations. "Heightened liquidity risk is exacerbated by weak external and fiscal buffers and poor governance, and points to a material probability of default in the near term," Moody's said after cutting the country's rating two notches to Caa2 from B3. The Laos economy is expected to show virtually no growth this year, having been expanding at an average of 6.7% over the past five years, Moody's added. That is likely to widen the government's budget deficit to 6.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), from 3.5% of GDP last year, while pushing up its debt ratio by 6 percentage points to 64% of GDP by 2022. Reserves are now less than $1 billion. Loans from commercial banks and Thai-baht bonds mature this year in September and October respectively and it also faces payments on a $150 million Eurobond due next June. "The absence of a transparent financing strategy and opacity around how maturing debt obligations have and will continue to be met, raise uncertainty about the capacity for the government to secure financing in time and at affordable costs," Moody's said. (Reporting by Marc Jones Editing by David Goodman)

Thank you. That didn't occur to me.

From the Associated Press Thailand commutes death sentences in killings of UK tourists BANGKOK (AP) — Two migrant workers from Myanmar convicted in the 2014 killings of two young British tourists on a Thai holiday island have had their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were among many convicts in Thai prisons whose sentences were reduced under a clemency decree issued by King Maha Vajiralongkorn to mark his 68th birthday on July 28, their lawyer, Nadthasiri Bergman, confirmed. The decree, which appeared to cover thousands of prisoners, took effect Friday with its publication in the Royal Gazette. The two denied killing 24-year-old David Miller and raping and killing 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, whose battered bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, a popular diving destination. The high-profile case caused extensive controversy because of allegations police mishandled evidence and beat the suspects into making confessions. There were suspicions they were scapegoats for a crime that police were under pressure to solve because it could adversely effect Thailand’s lucrative tourist industry. A well-known Thai forensics expert testified that the DNA evidence that was central in the prosecution case did not link them to the scene. Human Rights Watch called the guilty verdict “profoundly disturbing.” The Supreme Court in August last year upheld their murder convictions and sentences. It dismissed allegations of physical mistreatment and mishandling of forensic evidence, saying the forensic work was handled by respectable institutions and it found no proof of torture. The death penalty is rarely carried out in Thailand.

From The Thaiger Yesterday, Richard Barrow, a popular British blogger who has been living and working in Thailand for decades, says he had a surprise visit from the immigration bureau in regards to the renewal of his visa. Kapook reported the incident on their page saying that many Thai people admire the work he does for Thailand as a tourism and expat influencer. Richard bemoaned on his Facebook page that “things didn’t look good” for an extension of his visa to stay in Thailand. “Bangkok Immigration came to inspect my workplace. They were here for 3 hours. Looks like they will not extend my “visa”. They said I will probably have to leave the country. They will give me a final verdict next week.” Social media has been full of speculation about Richard’s possible departure and assuming that it has something to do with his occasional swipes at Thai officialdom on his blogs. But Richard says none of that is true. “I know a lot of people are speculating about the reasons with some crazy conspiracy theories. The Immigration officials gave me no indication that they were targeting me. I only passed last year because some influential people in government called the chief of Immigration.” “In normal years, I would leave the country and come back with a tourist visa and start again. With the borders closed, my only option is to fly back to the UK. As I won’t have a Non-B visa, I cannot come back for months. Unfortunately, the family home in the UK is being sold.” In the past few years Richard has had an annual wait to see if his application to stay would be approved. In the end he’s been able to pull in a few favours and make contact with leading officials to “sort things out”. Richard has contacts at many levels of Thai society and is generally recognised as a ardent enthusiast about Thai life and is loyally followed by over 100,000 people on his Facebook page.

From Thai Enquirer Government said a decision has not been made on Thailand shutting down until 2021 Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said on Thursday that a final decision had not been made on shutting down the country from tourism until 2021, refuting earlier statements made by a TAT official. According to the CCSA, numerous factors must be weighed before reaching such a decision and any decision should be made in increments rather than a blanket travel ban for the rest of the year. A spokesman for the CCSA told Thai Enquirer that among the situations that must be assessed is the viability of a vaccine, the global pandemic situation and the situation at home. Any statement which claims that a decision has been made is “premature” according to the CCSA. The new reports on Thursday refute a previous statement by a senior Tourist Authority of Thailand who told reporters during a webinar that Thailand would not welcome tourists until next year.

Never said that Barry doesn't know what he's talking about. I've pointed out before that he's writing his opinion about the topic in the same way you and me do. He reads the same news. But here's where we differ: I don't accept it as the final basis for believing what's going to happen 3-6 months down the line. I read the stuff with the same skepticism that I read pronouncements out of Washington, London, Beijing, Moscow, Brasilia, Hong Kong, etc. Thailand unfortunately is confronting one of its worst financial dilemmas. And exacerbating the crisis is the prospect of its worst political unrest since 1936. Therefor I don't think it's unreasonable to believe that decisions and positions are subject to change. Consider recent events in Lebanon and how quickly things can change on a dime. I'm not suggesting something so dramatic will happen in this case, but I cite it as an example of how unpredictable the future really is. Trying to predict the whims of politicians is akin to trying to predict the movements of stock markets. You have to allow that you may be wrong. Barry could turn out to be completely right about the future. You and others can cite valid reasons for agreeing with him. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't particularly like the way he points out the absurdity of other possibilities. I'm not trying to get their hopes up; I'm trying to keep them up. I'm not putting down Barry but I am taking issue with the way he interprets and presents his opinions.

From Bangkok Post SINGAPORE: Japan and Singapore agreed on Thursday to ease travel restrictions implemented in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic from September. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he agreed with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan that the two countries will restart mutual visits of businesspeople and expatriates from September, given they take precautionary measures. Japan, which currently bans entry of all foreign nationals from 146 designated countries and regions in principle, said in late July it will newly enter into discussions with 12 Asian economies, including Singapore, on ways to resume travel. The two ministers, in their first in-person meeting since November last year, also plan to discuss the current situation in the South China Sea, where China is stepping up maritime claims, and ways to thwart North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions, the officials said. They are also expected to exchange views on cooperation in responding to the pandemic, possibly touching on the importance of establishing an Asean centre for emerging diseases and public health emergencies.

OMG, the wrath of Barry 'don't-even-think-about-it' Kenyon has been unleashed upon my post The Pattaya expat takes unmitigated delight in dispelling any hope whatsoever that his fellow countrymen--and anyone else--might be able to return to the LOS. Relax, Barry. Take a load off. This isn't our first rodeo. We know the a ticket alone doesn't grant us access to the Kingdom. I was responding (not without a smidgen of jest) to Gaybutton's question "Are any passenger-carrying airlines currently flying to Thailand?". If we all lost our sense of humor in these times, the situation would indeed appear more daunting than it already is. I find that checking out Expedia, or other of the travel sites, makes for a little diversion in these days when I'd normally be booking my Fall trip. Barry, take some advice: Pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

Ten different international carriers are accepting bookings from NYC to BKK on Oct. 2. (lowest price $452 RT) Is it possible that they know something we don't?

From CNN The Red Bull heir, a crashed car and the scandal that angered Thailand Before dawn on September 3, 2012, a roaring black Ferrari struck a police motorcycle in downtown Bangkok, knocking the officer to the ground and dragging his body down the darkened street before speeding away. According to police, a trail of oil leaking from the sports car led investigators to the luxury home of one of Thailand's wealthiest families, the co-owners of the Red Bull energy drink empire. The man driving the Ferrari, police say, was Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, the heir to a family fortune that Forbes estimates to be worth $20.2 billion. Vorayuth was subsequently charged with five criminal counts, including speeding, hit-and-run, and reckless driving causing death, but the case stalled for years as the billionaire scion repeatedly missed or postponed prosecutors' summonses. Authorities believe he left Thailand in 2017. For years, the family of the police officer killed in the crash, Sgt. Major Wichien Klanprasert, were left in limbo. Then on July 23, Colonel Sampan Luangsajjakul of the Royal Thai Police confirmed that the Office of Attorney General (OAG) had decided to drop all charges against Vorayuth, who police have confirmed was aged 30 at the time of the accident, not 27 as they previously said. The decision to drop the charges thrust the case back into the spotlight — and angered Thais who have long felt that the country's legal system unfairly favors the rich. Some called for a boycott of Red Bull products. Others said the decision not to prosecute Vorayuth was the latest and most blatant confirmation of a perceived culture of impunity of the elite in Thailand.\ Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/11/business/red-bull-heir-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

From Thai Enquirer Student leaders say they are unconcerned with politicians urging caution Student leaders told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday that they were unconcerned with political parties urging caution after a controversial rally on Monday which touched upon previously taboo topics in Thai society. Up to 10,000 students gathered on campus at Thammasat University – Rangsit on Monday to call for a change in government with many students saying that the Prayut Chan-ocha administration was undemocratic. The students called for a rewrite of the military-drafted constitution, the dissolution of parliament and the end to the harassment of activists by the state. As the rallied continued, many speakers also touched on the role of the Thai monarchy in politics. Politicians on Tuesday cautioned the students about involving the royal institution and urged the students to keep their criticisms of the government within the realm of politics. Korn Chatikavanij, leader of the Kla Party, said that he did not want to see history repeating itself and advised the students to, “avoid insults towards the institution and conduct rallies within the boundary of the law.” Korn was alluding to the October 6, 1976 student massacre where royalist mobs and the army crushed student rallies and lynched many students in public squares. The Kla leader said a political rally is a civil right but the respect for other’s right to belief is also another civil right. =============================================================================== From Thai Enquirer Right-wing Thai media takes aim at student protesters arguing Monday’s rally had crossed the line Following a large student rally at Thammasat University on Monday, right-wing conservative media over the last 48 hours have taken aim at student protesters for involving the monarchy in politics and questioning the motives of the student leaders. Up to 10,000 students gathered on campus at Thammasat University – Rangsit on Monday to call for a change in government with many students saying that the Prayut Chan-ocha administration was undemocratic. The students called for a rewrite of the military-drafted constitution, the dissolution of parliament and the end to the harassment of activists by the state. As the rallied continued, many speakers also touched on the role of the Thai monarchy in politics. It was the last point which drew the ire of conservative news outlets with many saying that the rally had ‘hurt the feelings’ of the Thai public by involving the royal institution. News outlets like the pro-government Bangkok Post ran a headline on Wednesday arguing that the students had “crossed the line” and quoted military-appointed senators without interviewing any protesters. Government mouthpiece news outlets like The Nation and Manager both ran editorials questioning what was the ultimate aim of the student protesters while asking where the students had got the money to run their protest. Both Nation and Manager in the past have tried to link anti-establishment protests with “third party” sources of funding oftentimes relying on editorials and analysis pieces to connect political issues to exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra. On Tuesday, Nation TV ran a piece asking “Who is the person trying to destroy the nation?”

You can get it stamped now: REJECTED.

From CNN As US leaders work to control the spread of coronavirus, researchers across the country -- and globe -- are working to answer the mysteries that remain around infections. One of those mysteries: why the experience can be so different from person to person. One expert says the answer may involve looking at previous vaccines individuals have had. "When we looked in the setting of Covid disease, we found that people who had prior vaccinations with a variety of vaccines -- for pneumococcus, influenza, hepatitis and others -- appeared to have a lower risk of getting Covid disease," Dr. Andrew Badley, an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday night. It's what immunologists call immune training: how your immune system creates an effective response to fight off infections, Badley says. "A good analogy is to think of your immune system as being a muscle," he said. "The more you exercise that muscle, the stronger it will be when you need it." There's been no definitive evidence of any other vaccines boosting immunity against Covid-19. But some researchers have suggested it's possible. In June, a team of researchers in the US proposed giving a booster dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to people to see if it helps prevent the most severe effects of coronavirus infections. And last month, researchers found that countries where many people have been given the tuberculosis vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) had less mortality from coronavirus, a finding that fits with other research suggesting the vaccine can boost people's immunity in general. But once you're infected, how much of the virus made it into your body could also have an impact on what your experience is, another expert told CNN on Monday. Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at University of California, San Francisco, has been working with a team of researchers to understand how more people could go through their infections with minimal or no symptoms. About 40% of people infected with the virus don't have symptoms, according to an estimate last month by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gandhi's team found masks make a difference. "What the mask does is really reduce the amount of virus that you get in, if you do get infected," she said. "And by reducing that ... you have a lower dose, you're able to manage it, you're able to have a calm response and you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all."

Good question. But it's actually in our best interest that the ladies join in the fun chiefly because they provide the financial support that helps keeps the bars profitable. Secondly, given the generous number of straight guys who work the boy bars, the ladies' presence is one more reason that keeps the boys in the game. I for one would hate to see the straights exit the scene as they are frequently among my favorite offs. Sure, ladies might snatch away some guy we have our hearts set on but so could another gay guy.

From Channel News Asia Pro-democracy rally attracts thousands as discontent swells PATHUM THANI, Thailand: Thousands of people from all walks of Thai society came out in force Monday (Aug 10) to an anti-government protest, the largest ever show of dissent targeting premier Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration after weeks of rallies. Waving rainbow flags, acerbic signs and posters of missing pro-democracy activists, the demonstrators descended in waves to Thammasat University in the outer edges of Bangkok as the sun set. The robust attendance comes after weeks of near-daily student-led protests denouncing Prayut's military-aligned administration. Over the weekend, two activists were arrested under charges of sedition - and then released on bail - for their alleged role in a massive Jul 18 rally. Organisers on Monday reiterated demands for a rewrite to a 2017 constitution, the parliament's dissolution, and called for the government to "stop threatening the people". The protest drew a diverse crowd from the LGBTQI community, young high schoolers and elderly pro-democracy supporters. "Us seniors must support the students," said a 70-year-old woman who declined to be named. "We must fight for our sons, daughters, nephews and nieces." The kingdom has long been locked in a cycle of violent street protests and coups by a putsch-happy army. Demonstrators regard former army chief Prayut, who led the 2014 coup, as a remnant of Thailand's military government legacy as his premiership was ushered in under a military-scripted charter in last year's poll. The pandemic has seized up Thailand's economy, leaving millions jobless and angry at the inequalities of a society perceived to favour the kingdom's elite establishment. "No more fake democracy," read a sign at the demonstration, which drew around 4,000 by nightfall, according to an AFP estimate. "This is the right time to send our voices to the government to let them know that we've had enough," said one university student, declining to be named. Prayut has vowed to hold public forums with young people.

From The Thaiger Thailand’s international borders not re-opening for tourists until 2021 – TAT Thailand is unlikely to reopen its borders to international tourists before the end of the year – the prediction from a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Speaking at yet another webinar, this time hosted by Mekong Tourism and TravelMole, the deputy governor for international marketing at TAT, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, noted that there has been “no talk of a timeline issued for reopening the country to inbound or outbound leisure travel during weekly Covid-19 national meetings”. He spoke of the Thai government’s “very, very cautious” approach to reopening borders and said he doesn’t expect Thailand to welcome tourists until at least 2021. “I see no signal from the government that the country will open this year. That’s putting lot of pressure on the tourism industry. The Christmas period, usually the high season, is in jeopardy and I’m looking horribly even to Chinese New Year in February, which is an iffy proposition at best now. Unfortunately, this is not a rosy picture.”

Barring customers because of bad behavior is different from barring customers based on color, orientation, appearance or nationality. If we overlook discrimination for one group we encourage against all groups. And for gays, of all minorities, to look away when others are marginalized ignores the long history of discrimination and attacks that they themselves were subject to.. I can understand a country wanting to test and temporarily quarantine foreigners due to the pandemic but once those visitors have complied with those restrictions, they should be free from discrimination. Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. The topic came up at a presentation of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand last week. The spokesman for Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked about it during the Q&A session. It was an uncomfortable moment for the official but at lest he addressed it with a diplomatic response. That the question came from a Thai journalist impressed me. All of us should aspire to the same courage when confronted with xenophobia. It's easy to forget what life was like for gays half a century ago. It was only through confrontation that signaled we would no longer accept it that lead to the freedom we enjoy today. Let us now not quietly acquiesce to discrimination in any form no matter how uncomfortable the moment might be.

Would you be as forgiving if you were turned away at clubs and massage shops that decided only to admit Thai customers? It could happen if this xenophobia continues to grow.

From Bangkok Post Supercars and champagne As the coronavirus brought the global economy to its knees, Thai businessman Yod decided to buy himself a 27 million baht treat -- a lime-green Lamborghini. Mr Yod picked up the customised Huracan EVO supercar in Bangkok, a city of billionaires with a luxury economy unbroken by the crisis ripping through Thailand's wider economy. With tourism and exports in freefall, Thailand's growth could shrivel by as much as 10% this year, dumping millions into unemployment. But in a split-screen economy, there are plenty with immunity to the economic scourge caused by Covid-19. Thailand is home to the ninth most billionaires anywhere, according to the China-based Hurun Report's Global Rich List 2020. Among those with deep pockets is Mr Yod -- full name Thanakorn Mahanontharit -- who was undeterred by Thailand's "crazy" supercar import taxes of up to 80% when he made his March purchase. "This car makes me feel like David Beckham," the genial Bangkok-based petro-chemicals businessman told AFP. "When you open your door everyone looks at you like you're a superstar." Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini have all launched top-end models in Bangkok over the pandemic period, cars with price tags of between $750,000 and $1.2 million. It is a bet on the wealth sloshing around Bangkok. Millions of dollars of that cash were on proud display in the capital last week as an eye-catching 40-car convoy from the Thailand Lamborghini Club cut through the city's knotted traffic for a day trip to a nearby resort. But most Thais are in a different game. The kingdom is one of Asia's least equal countries. Thailand is buttressed by a handful of family dynasties with monopolies covering everything from beer and duty-free to convenience stores. Their fortunes have surged under six years of military-aligned government which has parcelled out major contracts to them, while the wider economy has backslid. "One percent of the population owns pretty much two-thirds of the country," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, warning that inequality is kindling a political crisis. Meanwhile many more are sinking. Farmers are reeling as demand struggles to return to pre-virus levels and remittances from migrants to the cities are drying up, while the urban middle class are facing a cash crunch playing out in unpaid loans and school fees. As a result, household debt is forecast to surge to 88-90% of GDP by the end of this year, according to a Kasikornbank research note. Government figures predict the pandemic could leave 8.4 million jobless, over a quarter of them employed in the cash-cow tourism sector. That would eviscerate the gains of the last two decades, which saw millions lifted from poverty by Thailand's export, manufacturing and tourism boom. Even before the pandemic hit, the number of people living in poverty had risen by nearly two million to 6.7 million, according to a March report by the World Bank. Now, as the pandemic strips back the economy, the middle and working classes "are not well-cushioned," said Pavida Pananond, an academic at the Thammasat Business School. Yet the rich enjoy a level of "financial immunity" from the crisis. The allure of being "Hi-So" runs through Thai society, she said, explaining that money -- especially the show of having it -- is a shortcut into Thailand's elite, which was once defined by having the right "breeding" and education. "There's still very much a class system here... maybe it comes from a feudalistic history," she said.