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From CNN Tattoos, karaoke and a touch of film noir: What it was like to work with Anthony Bourdain in Thailand (CNN) — When crew from CNN's "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" contacted me in February 2014 to ask for assistance with an upcoming shoot in Thailand, of course I agreed without hesitation. No food celebrity was more widely loved than Anthony Bourdain at the time, and his posthumous fame and recognition have only grown since. In an era where chefs are the new rockstars, he was Johnny Cash, keeping it raw and real. Playing down his history in professional kitchens, including Manhattan's Brasserie Les Halles, he liked to describe himself as a failed chef and talked openly about past substance abuse. He sharply criticized over-hyped TV chefs and the Michelin cult, using his influence instead to praise the street vendors and line cooks who feed most of the world. For 17 years, across four television series ("A Cook's Tour," "No Reservations"," The Layover" and "Parts Unknown"), and in over 50 countries, Tony let us tag along as he met people from all walks of life and explored their food traditions, no matter how alien they might appear to the home audience. In fact, the more alien it was, the better, but always in a local context rather than as a critical, judging observer. And it wasn't just about food. His zig-zag path across the globe was strewn with rough jewels of philosophy. "The more I travel," he said, "the less I know." I was approached by Tony's producer Tom Vitale, who spent virtually his entire career working alongside him. Tony liked working with Lonely Planet guidebook authors, Vitale said by way of introduction, because they knew the terrain and were used to tight travel schedules. In a series of emails, Vitale laid out his plans to shoot in Chiang Mai, and asked for my advice on locations and activities. At that point, the wildly successful series was in its third season. It wasn't Tony's first on-camera visit to Thailand. In 2003, "A Cook's Tour" added Bangkok to a Singapore shoot during a long flight layover in the Thai capital. Bangkok was showcased again in the fifth season of "No Reservations" (2008), when Tony dove deeper into street food. Continues with photos and videos https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/anthony-bourdain-thailand/index.html

From Khaosod Engish Chuan Savoey is located 207 Silom road. It’s a 20 seconds walk from BTS Sala Daeng Station Exit 2. It opens everyday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, except Sunday. BANGKOK — Egg noodles with roasted pork and dumpling is one of the most popular Chinese foods that have gone ‘native’ in Thailand for a long time. It’s a common enough dish, but few mastered it throughout the test of time. One of those lucky few is Chuan Savoey on Bangkok’s busy Silom Road. They have been selling the dish for over 40 years, seeing Silom grow from a sleepy orchard area into the bustling financial district. Three brothers and a sister now run the place with half a dozen staff. Known in Thai as bahmi giew moo daeng, the dish originated from China’s southern coastal provinces. Brought to Thailand by migrants from those parts of China, the dish is now well integrated into the Thai street food culture. Those migrants include the grandparents of Chuan Savoey’s Opas Yotjiranand, 57, who keeps the shop churning out this staple dish along with roasted pork with rice and red gravy sauce. We certainly recommend its egg noodle, particularly with not just roasted pork but with blue swimming crab meat, which is known in Thai as pu mah or ‘horse crab’. A sign in front of the shop proudly stakes its claim of “100% original” noodle. The place is very popular particularly during lunchtime on weekdays when office workers from around Silom vicinity would descend to the noodle shop. Expect to queue outside on the pavement. Even during the ongoing coronavirus, the shop seems to be doing a good business.

From Coconuts Bangkok Plans to create one long holiday in July from the postponed Thai New Year holidays have been called off, the prime minister said today. Speaking at noon today, Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the three Songkran holidays would be rescheduled at different times, though he noted that any working day gaps would also be made holidays. He said there would not be made consecutive to create a long holiday as previously rumored, saying it wasn’t good for government agencies that need to remain at work. Earlier this month, Culture Minister Ittipol Khunpluem said they might come as soon as July 7, adding to a long religious holiday weekend. Today he said that no decision had been made on new dates, though Asanha Bucha will still take place the first weekend of July, July 4-6.

From CNBC Hotelier discusses changes in Thailand's tourism sector post-virus Deepak Ohri, CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts, says the average stay in Bangkok is likely to increase from 1.8 days to around 2.3 days after the coronavirus pandemic. He also weighs in on how New Zealand and India managed the health crisis. To view interview https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/06/23/hotelier-discusses-changes-in-thailands-tourism-sector-post-virus.html

Thanks for catching that. It seems that it was actually Bloomberg that was the original source but I picked it up first on the Post which credited Bloomberg in its article: "The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News."

I agree that It's indeed quite possible that the Cambodians in bkk--and the Burmese in Iowa--prefer working under existing conditions than the alternatives. But in my book that doesn't excuse those who impose those conditions simply because they know they can get away with it.

And it's not just in Thailand--and other places--where migrant workers are being taken advantage of. Here's a truly depressing report from the US state of Iowa. I read a lot of news on any given day but it's the stories about the poor and the powerless that register the most. There are no excuses and no justification. From National Public Radio Iowa's Burmese Community Devastated By COVID-19 Iowa's tight-knit Burmese community is inundated by the coronavirus. Many work at meatpacking plants and estimates are as high as 70% being infected, with entire families struggling to cope. To listen go to https://www.npr.org/2020/06/21/881173373/iowas-burmese-community-devastated-by-covid-19

Somehow I don't see Somchai hustling down to Silom at 10p.m. to poll the Cambodians running for the bus to take them back to the dorms. And since this is a work of fiction, I'm just lending a bit of literary criticism. And if it were true it would make the whole yarn seem like an excuse to defend the government's action. Not me. I know--like you--that they want to get back to work. But here's the problem: in order for that to happen you need a huge influx of tourists. The government cites good reasons for delaying the return of tourists. In fact, the latest news out of the Tourism Authority claims that Thailand will pander only to the wealthy foreigner in the future. So we're left debating the same issues we've been posting about for the past few months. At least it keeps things interesting.

Now that is funny. But surprising that neither Somchai or the boss thought about asking the workers how they felt about it. On second thought, maybe not surprising at all.

From Bloomberg News Thailand Aims to Turn Away From Mass Tourism and Target the Wealthy Thailand’s tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors. Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers. Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks, Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said in an interview. The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said. Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities. People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time. The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Phiphat said. “One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.” Thailand isn’t the only country grappling with the question of how and when to reopen for visitors. Across Southeast Asia -- one of the most tourism-reliant regions in the world -- hotels and travel businesses are slowly kicking into gear as countries that have succeeded in flattening their virus curves ease lockdown restrictions. Thailand’s first few travel-bubble pacts, with nations such as Japan and Australia, probably won’t be ready until at least August, Phiphat said. Thailand also is mulling a program to allow visitors from specific Chinese cities and provinces, he said. The goal is for Thailand to have 10 million foreign arrivals this year -- one-quarter of the 2019 tally -- Phiphat said. Total tourism revenue is forecast at 1.23 trillion baht ($39.6 billion) this year, down 59% from last year. Phiphat said Thailand sees the crisis as an opportunity to address problems that existed before the pandemic, including over-crowding at some beaches and temples and environmental destruction. In the quiet months without foreign travelers, sea turtles have returned to lay eggs on Thai beaches, pink dolphins have been seen frolicking with fishermen and manatees swam to shore to snack on sea grass, Phiphat said. “If we don’t use this chance to create the most benefit for the industry, Thailand will lose out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to reset the entire tourism system.”

I'm looking for neither malicious or non-malicious motives. But if you see malicious intent among those who agreed to the decision, I won't blame you for that. Everything is more complicated today because of the virus. But I don't think it's unreasonable to wonder why--complicated or not--migrant workers were left susceptible to contracting a deadly disease.

I think one of those elephants was the wink-wink, nod-nod agreement between Cambodia and Thailand that the Cambodian construction workers would be allowed to remain in Thailand during the pandemic. Thai authorities considered them essential workers necessary to keep that sector of the economy humming. Everybody knew the conditions they work under and the crowded dormitories they live in--conditions ripe for the spread of any communicable disease. And this was happening at a time when the government was sending people home from offices because of the fear that it would spread in the business community. What was good for the goose was certainly not good for the gander. At least Singapore acknowledged its migrant worker problem and accepted responsibility for trying to tame the problem. To this day it continues to identify new cases among foreign workers. I don't recall any reports out of the LOS about Covid-19 among the Cambodians. So it seems that the construction industry was business as usual at the same time the hospitality, retail and transportation sectors ground to a stop.

From The Irrawaddy Myanmar Sees Largest COVID-19 Spike as Migrants Deported from Thailand Test Positive ANGON—Twenty-three out of 35 Myanmar migrants who were deported from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday in the country’s highest daily increase in coronavirus cases so far. The 35 Myanmar migrants were held at the immigration detention center in the city of Songkhla in southern Thailand before being deported via the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border gate on June 8. The migrants were detained under Thailand’s immigration acts for lacking proper documents. Four of them were arrested for entering Thailand illegally from Malaysia. On Friday, the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports announced that 23 of the returnees, including the four who had travelled to Malaysia, tested positive for COVID-19 while under quarantine in Hpa An Township, Karen State. Around 2,000 returnees from Thailand have been quarantined at about 350 quarantine centers across Karen State. As of Sunday, 27,505 migrants have returned to Myanmar through land borders from Thailand and thousands more have returned from China since May 23. Myanmar has also brought 3,762 Myanmar nationals stranded abroad by COVID-19 lockdowns home on repatriation flights since April 30. As of Friday morning, Myanmar has reported 286 COVID-19 cases including six deaths and 187 recoveries. Of the 286 COVID-19 cases, 124 cases were imported from other countries.

Timing is everything. From Business Insider Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok Announces Opening BANGKOK, June 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Siam Premium Outlets® Bangkok, today celebrated its opening to mark the arrival of Thailand's first Premium Outlets®, bringing the world's most popular brand of outlet shopping to the Bangkok area, located only 15 minutes away from the international Suvarnabhumi Airport, easily accessible from Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway No.7 route, km. 23, exit 5, Lat Krabang. The center will join the family of Simon Premium Outlets properties around the world that represent some of the most iconic shopping destinations for residents and tourists, including Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York City; Gotemba Premium Outlets in Japan; Yeoju Premium Outlets in South Korea; and Johor Premium Outlets in Malaysia. Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok opens daily, from 10:00 - 21:00. Free shuttle bus service is available daily at Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.

Unfortunately there are no 100% accurate tests in detecting Covid-19. In the case of the test cited above (Abbott's "Now"), even if you use the low, 84% figure, that doesn't mean that 16 out of 100 randomly selected people who take the the test actually have Covid but were given a negative result. For that to happen, all 100 would have to have been infected. The infected rate varies greatly in the general population. Persons living in different cities and different regions can have widely different base infection rates. For example, I live in a community with a base infection rate of 11%. Assuming a 16% inaccuracy rate, 1.76 persons out of every random 100 in my community tested would get a false result . That's not ideal but as we learn more about the disease, we're being told not to expect 100% effectiveness in any tests, any vaccine or any treatment protocol. If you're testing patients in a clinical setting (i..e., those who come to a testing site because they have virus symptoms), the base infection rate is going to be significantly higher than if you tested a random group of people such as those you'd be testing before being allowed to board an aircraft. As much as I agree there are no easy answers in restoring global air travel, I persuaded that waiting for optimum conditions to come along is a bridge too far. For "optimum" conditions to exist, the disease would have to be eradicated by one or more medical or natural outcomes. And that just doesn't seem to be in the cards at the moment. Meanwhile, economies--and the lives that depend upon them--are at risk of being crippled. It seems to me, as more time passes more people are willing to accept increasing risk for financial survival or personal reasons. If I had to hazard a guess just how global travel gets going again, I think it's likely to be a result of demand. Surely the negotiations we see discussed daily in the news will be part of the process but they will evolve sooner rather than later.

Because the other guy in the bed has a true nature

Test results can be had on site (at the airport) within 5 minutes with equipment manufactured by Abbott Labs. They are in wide use. The big advantage of testing at point of departure is to ensure that all those on flight are negative. That should provide reassurance and comfort to passengers and flight crews alike. I can understand why many might find testing before departure from Thailand to be unnecessary, especially if your country will require you to self-quarantine upon return.

Could not agree with you any more on this count. Point of clarification: Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. Based on its trends analysis, the Ministry of Tourism has forecast that 41.1 million people will visit Thailand in 2019, and they will spend over $70 billion during their stays. Direct receipts from tourism contribute about 12 percent to Thailand’s gross domestic product, and indirect revenues push the figure closer to 20 percent. https://thaiembdc.org/2019/02/04/thailand-sets-new-tourism-record-with-over-38-million-arrivals/ If (according to the report in The Nation today) Thailand has now reached 25 days without a domestic case, and all five the new positive patients were returnees from Saudi Arabia, who could possibly be among the 10,000 still in quarantine? I agree that's a troubling and seemingly contradictory indicator. I join you in finding the government's continual leakage of plan proposals excruciating. But it is, after all, multiple government officials who are releasing this stuff. That gives any one the right to be critical. And maybe that's just their intent: run a plan up the flagpole and gauge the response.

It’s wishful thinking indeed. Thailand’s approach to restoring international travel has been disjointed, confusing and often contradictory. At least five agencies have proffered plans, all with slightly different requirements based on negotiated travel bubbles with other countries. Even if one succeeded in getting the PM’s blessing, it would not even come close restoring the jobs of the massively unemployed in the hospitality and entertainment industry or the many others who worked in associated sectors (transportation, retail sales, etc). Think about this. There are 50 international air carriers that fly into Thailand (according to Skyscanner). Imagine the logistical complexity of negotiating travel bubbles on that scale. What is needed is a simple solution that satisfies the major concerns of all parties (Thailand, air carriers, and nations those flights are departing from and returning to). So here’s my plan: The airlines -- Each airline must agree to test all passengers at the point of and day of departure. The cost of the test (about $100) is added to the cost of ticket. Tickets could be marketed as conditionally refundable, less cost of test and an administrative fee only if passenger fails the test. This guarantees that all those passengers entering Thailand have been tested and do not require quarantine on arrival. Transit airports (if applicable) – This would satisfy concerns of airports through which the passengers transit en route. Thailand – Thailand receives passengers tested within 24 hours of departure (and not the 72 hours that are required in all current Thai plans under consideration). As for insurance against Covid costs of a passenger who contracts the virus in country, Thailand would impose a health insurance surcharge (3000 bht ?) that would be tacked onto inbound flights. That would preclude the need for additional coverage that passengers would have to purchase prior to departure. Thailand could, of course, opt to waive the above requirements on ASEAN (and select other) nations it believes poses no threat from Covid 19. Nations receiving returning passengers – Thailand would agree to test, at point of departure, all returning passengers. That should satisfy nations the passengers are returning to along with any transit airports en route. These conditions would eliminate the need for negotiating individual bubbles and they would eliminate uncertainty at the point of arrival in Thailand. Passengers would be free to go where they wish and not confined to locations they don't care to visit. And--most important to Thailand--is restores jobs for legions of the unemployed without taking on added risk. The total additional cost would be in the vicinity of $200 per ticket, a small price to pay for the convenience.

This is the latest--and certainly not the last--of reopening travel proposal wheeled out by various government agencies. It targets selected resorts but ignores the the Big Mango where most travelers (well heeled and otherwise) want to go and where most of the unemployed and underemployed working classes reside. From Bangkok Post Thailand to turn away from mass tourism, target the wealthy The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News. Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks. The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said. Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities. People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time. The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Mr Phiphat said. “One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.” Mr Phiphat said Thailand sees the crisis as an opportunity to address problems that existed before the pandemic, including over-crowding at some beaches and temples and environmental destruction. In the quiet months without foreign travelers, sea turtles have returned to lay eggs on Thai beaches, pink dolphins have been seen frolicking with fishermen and manatees swam to shore to snack on sea grass, Phiphat said. “If we don’t use this chance to create the most benefit for the industry, Thailand will lose out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to reset the entire tourism system.”

You're hitting .333. That's good in any league.

From The Nation AI launches global petition for probe into Thai activist’s abduction Amnesty International is calling on people around the world to take urgent action by writing a petition addressed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to ask for an “effective, thorough and transparent” investigation into the disappearance of Thai activist in exile, Wanchalearm Satsaksit. It is also urging calling on people to demand that Hun Sen honour the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Cambodia is a party to. Wanchalearm is among nine Thai activists who sought sanctuary in neighbouring countries after the May 2014 coup and have gone missing in recent years. The bodies of two activists were found stuffed with concrete in the Mekong River in December 2018. Amnesty international has also voiced concern over the possibility that governments in neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, have colluded with Thailand in recent years in the forcible return of political dissidents wanted in their respective countries, who would face human rights violations if returned. This includes Cambodians who have fled persecution for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. It also says that neighbouring countries, including Laos and Vietnam, have not exercised due diligence in investigating this pattern of abductions of Thai nationals whose extradition has been sought by Thailand. Wanchalearm, 37, was reportedly abducted on June 4 from a street in Phnom Penh. His sister said she was speaking to Wanchalearm on the phone at around 4.30pm when she heard him say “I can’t breathe”, and the line was abruptly cut. Security camera footage reportedly shows a black Toyota Highlander SUV departing from outside his condominium at around the same time. Like other missing activists, Wanchalearm’s whereabouts remain unknown. The activist faces charges of sedition in Thailand, the most recent filed in 2018 under the Computer Crime Act, alleging that he had posted anti-government material on a Facebook group called “Gu Tong Dai 100 Lan Jak Thaksin Nae Nae” (I will certainly receive 100 million from Thaksin). The Thai government reportedly sought his extradition from Cambodia and filed charges against him for failing to respond to a summons issued to many activists after the May 2014 military coup. TWanchalearm’s Facebook profile states he is in exile because he supports democracy.

From Khaosod English International Flights May Resume By September: Aviation Chief BANGKOK — International flights are likely to resume as late as September, a top civilian aviation regulator said Wednesday. Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand director Chula Sukmanop said none of the airlines he met had expressed interest in resuming their international flights by next month, when the order shutting down the country’s airspace is set to expire. He attributed the reluctance to uncertainty over the government’s policies on international travels. “I believe international flights will resume this September,” Chula said. “All of the airlines could not assess the demand for air traveling. They have to wait and see the situation by the end of this month.” Under the new regulations, air carriers are no longer required to leave empty seats between passengers, but passengers are still needed to wear face masks throughout the journey. Food and beverages may only be served on flights exceeding two hours and they must be prepared in a sealed container. Airlines are also required to prepare a space in the cabin to separate sick passengers from others, Chula said. Domestic flights were previously allowed to charge up almost twice the original fare since they had to leave many seats empty to ensure social distancing. The civil aviation chief expected the fares to be lower, thanks to the recent measures easing restrictions on traveling.

From Flight Global Singapore puts pause on Changi airport Terminal 5 project Singapore Changi Airport’s mega Terminal 5 project will be pushed back by at least two years, with a possible redesign in the works, amid uncertainty over the pace at which air travel demand will recover from the coronavirus outbreak. Transport minister Khaw Boon Wan says the Singapore government will “do a thorough study” on post-pandemic air travel demand and the design of Terminal 5. Khaw states: “We are confident that air traffic will return; the uncertainty is how quickly it will be. Analysts’ projections range from 2 to 5 years. We are doing our own study, in consultation with experts and stakeholders.” He adds: “We will do a thorough study on air travel demand and the design of [Terminal 5], including the possibility of redesigning certain parts to make sure air travel will be safe.” Changi Airport’s fifth passenger terminal was scheduled to be completed by 2030, and was to handle up to 50 million passengers annually in its initial phase. April traffic figures showed the airport handled only 25,200 passengers, a steep 99.5% decline year on year. In mid-May, it closed Terminal 4 indefinitely, owing to the small number of flights that were to operate out of the terminal. The airport shut Terminal 2 for 18 months at the start of May, in a bid to consolidate terminal operations amid falling passenger travel demand. The closure will allow planned upgrades at the terminal to be sped up and these could be completed by up to a year in advance.

From The Thaiger MP proposes legalising prostitution, sex toys to lower rape cases An MP of the Thai Civilised Party MP yesterday proposed make prostitution and adult toys legal in Thailand, to help stem what appears to be a rising tide of rape cases in the country. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, one of Thailand’s wealthiest politicians is an adviser and a member of a House committee assigned to to tackle the problem of rape in the country. The idea has been floated and debated for years at the highest level of government but has always been shot down by conservative politicians. Mongkolkit says he plans on formally bringing up the idea again to the committee and the government as a whole. Prostitution has always been a taboo subject in Thailand, with some ultraconservative Thai leaders and law enforcement brass even going as far as to claim there is no prostitution in the kingdom, which stretches credulity and liberal leaders admit is simply not true. Instead prostitution is often viewed as the “elephant in the room,” with many leaders too embarrassed to discuss it or claiming they’ll “wipe out prostitution entirely.” Critics say this is impossible, unrealistic and ill advised. The suggestions come just a day after the Royal Thai Police raided a warehouse in Samut Prakan and discovered illegal sex toys valued at over one million baht. The House committee says it will consider all proposals to deal with sex crimes before submitting its own proposals for a new bill in July. Several high profile rape cases have been reported in Thai National media over the past several months.