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From NY Times A passenger plane carrying 181 people crash-landed on its belly on Sunday at an airport in South Korea, hitting a barrier and exploding into an orange fireball in the worst aviation disaster in the country in almost three decades. Most of the people on board the plane, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, were killed, officials said. The plane, Flight 7C2216, had taken off from Bangkok and was landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea’s southwest when it crashed around 9 a.m. local time. Officials said the plane had broken into so many pieces that only its tail was identifiable. The plane was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. As of Sunday evening, the official death toll had risen to 177, according to the National Fire Agency. Two crew members had been rescued from the aircraft’s tail section, and emergency workers continued searching the wreckage. Officials were investigating why the landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned, and whether birds had struck the plane or if bad weather had been a factor, Ju Jong-wan, a director of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said at a news briefing. As the plane was landing, he said, the airport warned it about a potential bird strike. The plane issued a mayday alert shortly after, he said, then crash-landed. The muddy tidal flats near Muan International Airport and much of the west coast of the Korean Peninsula are favorite resting places for migrant birds. Photographs in local media showed flocks of birds flying near the airport on Sunday. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/world/asia/what-to-know-south-korea-plane-crash.html

From Pattaya News At 06:06 AM, Pattaya police received a report of a violent fight on Pattaya Third Road. Following the report, police, along with rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation and The Pattaya News reporters, rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, authorities found Mr. Seita Tanabe, a 27-year-old Japanese man, who had been stabbed in the chest with a knife and was bleeding heavily. Rescue workers provided first aid and performed CPR before rushing him to the hospital. However, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The other person involved, identified by police only as Mr. David, a 36-year-old British-Thai man, was found with a swollen face, body scratches, and a torn shirt. He appeared heavily intoxicated. Mr. David was reported to have stabbed Mr. Seita. He reportedly showed no remorse at the scene as he made an “I love you” gesture to officers while being arrested and appeared to be smirking in photos taken after the horrific incident. A knife used in the attack was found at the scene and was collected as evidence. An eyewitness, identified only as Mr. Bank, last name withheld by request, told The Pattaya News that before the incident, he and Mr. Seita saw Mr. David arguing with his foreign girlfriend. Both he and Mr. Seita tried to stop the argument, which caused Mr. David to punch Mr. Seita in the face. The nature of the argument with the foreign woman and her identity were not disclosed by Pattaya police as of press time. Mr. Bank then tried to separate the two, but shortly afterward, Mr. Seita retaliated by punching Mr. David. The situation escalated when Mr. David drew a knife and stabbed Mr. Seita in the chest, causing him to collapse in front of everyone. Police arrived shortly after and arrested Mr. David. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/12/29/fight-in-pattaya-ends-with-british-thai-man-stabbing-young-japanese-man-to-death/

A trusted source tells me that the audience in FB's is western and Asian mix. Females come in small groups or with their bf's and their interest is mainly in seeing the show, although they may call down a guy if they can chat with him. Probably the same at GB and DB.

Bad example. BBC is totally free. CNN and CNBC are both free but you can subscribe to additional content if you wish. All the Thai and ASEAN news sites are free. Agree.

NOTE -- Jujube, also known as the Chinese red date, is a round fruit commonly grown in Southeast Asia. The bright red jujube fruit is about the size of a plum. Inside the fruit is a white pulp covering the jujube seed. Jujube fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory plant compounds. In traditional Chinese medicine, jujubes are consumed to improve sleep and remove toxins. Jujubes have been grown in China for over 4,000 years. From Bangkok Post Most fruit samples randomly tested by the Thai Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-Pan) contained hazardous residues that exceeded the safety standard, particularly jujubes and oranges. Thai-PAN coordinator Prokchol Ousap said on Friday that the network collected 85 samples of apples, dragon fruit, guava, jujubes and oranges, both imported and domestically grown, from supermarkets and fresh markets across 12 provinces, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Rayong from Nov 27 to Dec 11. She said the fruits underwent multi-residue testing for 419 chemicals at BVAQ Laboratory in Thailand. The analysis revealed pesticide residues exceeding the safety standard in all fruit types tested, she said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2928616/tests-show-high-levels-of-pesticide

From Bangkok Post Police have arrested a man who they say hired a young social media influencer to guzzle a 350ml bottle of whiskey that led to the latter’s death at a party in Chanthaburi The arrest took place when officers raided the suspect’s house on Saturday in search of evidence that might link him to a gambling website. Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and local police in Chanthaburi raided the house of Ekkachart Meephrom, aka “Em Ekkachart”, in tambon Huai Sathon of Tha Mai district in the eastern province. Mr Ekkachart was in the house during the raid. The officers seized a pistol, bank passbooks, mobile phones and SIM cards for examination to find out whether he was connected to the gambling website curriculum51. During the operation, the officers also informed him that they had obtained an arrest warrant for him on a charge of recklessness causing death in connection with the alcohol-drinking challenge that led to the death of Thanakarn Kanthee, 27. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2928870/arrest-made-in-influencers-alcohol-challenge-death

Look at any cable news or newspaper website and you find all of them battling to phrase headlines to get readers to click on it. That, however, is nothing new and goes back a century or more in print media history where the headline and first paragraph determine if the article will get read to its conclusion. Headline writing is an art: give the reader just enough information to whet his appetite but don't try to tell the whole story. What we didn't like instead of what we did. Amen to that.

I usually try to omit those and now I know why.

As for the OP, Tiger Woods is a golfing legend. That his mother is Thai certainly gives the article local flavor. And to see his son display some of the same talent registers across the golfing community. As to where my interests lay I earlier addressed them in this thread: I view the board as a canvas. I look for articles that may be of particular general interest beyond the always popular news about venues and changes in the local scene. Other topics that I know affect all members (i.e., airlines, current events in ASEAN area, tourism, accommodations) get preference. If you look at my posts across all the subforums you find that my interests cover a lot of ground, none more so than the massage business in Bangkok. When I'm in town, I try to keep the board informed about venues I've visited. Regardless of what I post, I'm aware that some fall into the information only category. For example, if I post about bars being closed for a Buddhist holiday I don't expect it ill generate much discussion but is nevertheless useful to members in bkk at the moment. But if I post about a new bar, I anticipate it will ignite some lively conversation over an extended period. Both posts are informative but as always been the case in this forum, trip and venue reports generate the widest interest. We have to look no further than recent trip reports by Jason, Min and Vinapu. They are the classic meat and potatoes of Gay Thailand.

This topic has garnered 54 replies. Not bad for a story about hole-in-one.

If we use that logic then topics in Politics Forum (that produce prodigious replies) would be most popular on the board.

I was counting views but I'm still flattered.

Actually, airport alcohol policy got most of my three posts you mentioned (38). 😊 But flattered that you're keeping score.

Oh, I understand. You levitated across Pacific to scene of incident in Pattaya. Time to return and report back now to Capt. Kirk.

Reporter and photographer were on the scene. Your were not, and that is not in dispute.

I choose guy on far right. He reminds me of my favorite Patpong bartender.

The reporter was on the scene and you were on the opposite side of the Pacific. I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. 😄

I've gone back and reviewed the video three times. It's not possible to determine if the victim declined assistance from those on motorbike who stopped and spoke with him after the attack. Anyone with experience in emergency medicine would be aware that bleeding can become worse as time passes. You can see photos in the original article of two first responders treating his head injuries. In the black and white video taken from a distance during darkness, you cannot determine the extent of his injuries. The only thing I can agree with is that he did not crawl home, although he did stagger and briefly crawl as he struggled to get off the ground. It's also noteworthy that the reporter did not have access to the video when the initial article was published. Based on these findings. I do no believe that there is cause to label the Pattaya News an untrustworthy source.

KK Massage is offering a promotion of one-hour session for 150 baht good on Dec. 28 and 29.

"You can do business and get rich." Isn't this what Trump told investors in The Trump Shuttle and Trump University? But he's now settled on a new, sure fire scheme to redeem his reputation. You can now smell like The Donald.

From Khaosod English In a disturbing incident that occurred just minutes into Christmas Day, CCTV footage has revealed how an 80-year-old Belgian tourist was violently attacked and robbed near his residence in Pattaya. The incident took place shortly after midnight, ironically following a police ceremony deploying officers for holiday security. According to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, at 00:28 a.m., four teenagers on two motorcycles were seen entering The Village Pattaya housing complex. The group strategically positioned themselves to intercept Mr. Richard, a former electrician, who was returning home from Christmas celebrations at local entertainment venues. Continues with video and photos https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/12/25/cctv-reveals-details-of-christmas-attack-on-belgian-man-in-pattaya/

From The Nation Pornphrom Vikitsreth, adviser to the Bangkok governor and chief sustainability officer of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on December 18 witnessed the testing of a new garbage collection boat at Prem Prachakon Canal in Chatuchak district. Precious Shipping Pcl started working on upgrading the boat’s performance since November 19 to further reduce human labour as well as add the oxygenation function while the boat is in operation. The Phithak Thara (protect the water) is 5.65 metres long, 3.5 metres wide and can operate at least 80 centimetres deep. It is made from high-density polyethylene that is durable against sunlight, water leakage, and damage from impact, barnacle and lichens. With a single conveyor belt, the boat can carry a maximum of 300 kilograms of garbage per trip, while most of its parts are recyclable. Pornphrom said the city is planning to deploy the boat to clear garbage in all canals in the metropolitan areas, including the Prem Prachakon, Lat Phrao, Saen Saeb, Phadung Krung Kasem, Ong Ang, Bang Lamphu, Khu Mueang Doem, and Prawet Buri Rom canals.

From Pattaya Mail EDITORIAL For many expats – and retirees in particular – the festivities this year are marred by ongoing concerns about personal income tax arising from cash transfers to Thailand. The notion that the Thai Revenue Department intends to hand down the stone tablets, Moses style, to deal with thousands of individual queries is naïve to say the least. TRD has published the policy and it’s up to you to interpret it in the light of your own finances – provided you clock up in Thailand 180 days or more in a calendar year. It is irrelevant how many times, if any, you entered the country during the 12 months. Some things are clear. There has not been a change in the law, but rather a reinterpretation of past TRD practice which was to tax some income (known as assessable) from overseas only if it was transferred in the same year it was earned. Now such income starting January 2024 is taxable whether sent in the same year or a later one. This applies to Thais or foreigners. Moreover, any savings you had in an overseas bank account up to December 31 2023 is not a taxable asset and you can transfer those monies anytime in the future without a problem. There are some other categories of non-assessable income in Thailand such as some (but not all) gifts. A common misunderstanding is that Thai income tax on overseas cash transfers is somehow linked to your visa. It matters not one jot whether you are here on successive exempt-visa entries, or one year extensions based on marriage or family, or Elite or Long Term Residence or Destination Thailand Visa. The only question of significance is the whether you have resided here in the kingdom for half the year or more (in a calendar year) with or without extensions or reentry permits. If so, the best advice is to keep all your financial records such as bank statements or first-country Revenue correspondence in a safe place. There is no doubt that some “news” sources have exaggerated the consequences either to create mischief or to persuade expats to enrol with some potentially-expensive “experts” who wrongly claim this is a new “law” designed to make your life miserable in Thailand unless, of course, you sign up here and now. Some pessimists suggest that backsliders will be instantly prosecuted, even deported, or that they will need to prove they have submitted a tax return to TRD in order to qualify for their next visa or extension. This is fantasy island. On the other hand, foreigners cannot ignore the TRD. If you have earned income within Thailand, say from employment or rentals, those are certainly taxable even if you are in the country for fewer than 180 days. As regards tax residents transferring overseas cash, there may be a double taxation treaty to consult (never an easy read) as well as the system of Thai tax allowances and exemptions which reduce any potential liability on assessable income. If you are concerned, by all means consult a Thai professional lawyer or accountant, preferably without committing yourself to a long-term contract. The reality in this subject is that one size does not fit all. All our finances are unique to the individual.

I have taken massage guys I've known from their shops to my room by paying off fee (typically 500) or on their off hours. Some shops offer to arrange off-site massage but at elevated prices. Those that offer it may include details on website. If you're concerned with being seen entering shop in Silom or other tourist areas, I'd consider the shops in Sahan Kwai area. Good luck and welcome to Bangkok.

Astute observation and coincides with what I've observed elsewhere.