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From The Nation The Interior Ministry has instructed provincial governors nationwide to step up security for tourists from criminals, influential persons and unlawful tourism businesses that may take advantage of them. A source at the ministry said that Industry permanent secretary Ansit Samphantharat had sent an urgent circular to provincial governors nationwide on Friday (December 20), ordering them to step up security for tourists in their provinces. The order cited the resolution of the national tourism board on November 26 that ordered the Interior and Tourism and Sports ministries and the Royal Thai Police to integrate efforts and measures to increase security for tourists. In his circular, Ansit handed down three measures for the provincial governors to implement urgently. First, the governors must draft operational guidelines for protecting life and assets of tourists in their provinces from natural disasters, crimes, exploitation and abuse by influential persons. The measures and guidelines must be drafted to respond to situations specific to the particular provinces, the circular said. Second, the provincial governors must join hands with police, local administrations and civilian volunteers to create confidence for tourists that they will be safe in the provinces. Third, the governors must launch awareness campaigns for tourist businesses, which have not been registered with the provincial administration or local administration, to register their businesses in accordance with the law. They include hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. The governors were also ordered to report the outcome of the operations to the permanent secretary on the 10th of every month.

https://www.facebook.com/people/Himbkk/61560383199435/ The address translates to 58/16, 58/17 Surawong Rd.

From VN Express Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line No. 1 officially launches operations on Sunday morning, connecting Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, marking a milestone 12 years after construction began. At 10 a.m. Sunday, all 14 stations of the metro line officially open to the public. But a large number of people already flocked to Ben Thanh Station, the line's largest, at around 7 a.m.Ho Chi Minh City Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong said the launch of the city's first metro line marks a significant milestone in the development of its public transportation system. The metro will cater to the public's need for fast and efficient travel, contributing to the creation of a sustainable and modern public transit network, Cuong said. "This project is also a symbol of the cooperation and strong ties between Vietnam and Japan, achieved through years of relentless effort." He added that the metro line sets the foundation for the future expansion of the city’s urban rail system. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki expressed hope that the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line will improve connectivity in high-traffic areas and encourage residents to shift from private vehicles to public transportation. "The success of Metro Line 1 will serve as a catalyst for the development of additional projects and infrastructure," said Ito Naoki. Single-ride tickets paid with cash will range from VND7,000 to VND20,000 (US$0.27-0.79), depending on the distance traveled. For cashless payments, the fare will be slightly lower, ranging from VND6,000 to VND19,000. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/traffic/finally-happening-hcmc-s-1st-metro-line-begins-service-after-12-years-4830183.html

From The Thaiger Leading super-app Grab released its year-end statistics for on-demand transport and delivery services in Thailand, revealing significant growth and trends in 2024. The company reported an impressive increase in its ride-hailing and delivery services, driven by both local and international demand. Grab’s ride-hailing services have remained a favourite among users, with the GrabCar Saver option experiencing a remarkable growth of over 400% in major cities. The Moo Deng phenomenon contributed to a surge in ride-hailing trips, particularly to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which saw a 267% increase in visitors, largely driven by foreign tourists. “Our commitment to price transparency and convenience continues to attract a diverse range of international tourists,” a Grab spokesperson mentioned, highlighting a 67% rise in ride-hailing trips to and from Thailand’s airports. The most frequent users hailed from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Shopping destinations in Thailand have maintained their allure, with places like ICONSIAM, CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Khao San Road, and Chatuchak Market seeing significant foot traffic. Newer spots like EmSphere, located on Sukhumvit, have also gained popularity among international visitors. https://thethaiger.com/news/business/grab-sees-400-growth-in-thailands-ride-hailing-and-delivery-services

From The Thaiger Three mayors in Phuket—Aroon Solos of Rawai, Panya Samphaorat of Pa Khlok, and Juta Dumlak from Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation—are embroiled in legal battles over corruption charges. Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri confirmed these proceedings, emphasising a broader push against corruption in the province. Panya Samphaorat faces charges from the Phuket branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for neglecting duties concerning public land. This case was accepted by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in March 2022. Juta Dumlak is accused of misconduct related to issuing building permits, with his case accepted in December last year. Aroon Solos, implicated in the unlawful issuance of building permits, has been under scrutiny since September 2020, though the action was delayed until a Supreme Administrative Court ruling in September last year. “Two of them, OrBorTor Chief Juta and Mayor Aroon have been suspended from their duties,” confirmed Phuket NACC Chief Suwat Saowarat. Only Panya remains active in his role, having filed a petition with the Administrative Court, resulting in a temporary protection order that allows him to continue his duties. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-mayors-face-charges-in-major-corruption-scandal

Looks like they're preparing to make pole ring in big cock show.

From Khaosod English One of six Chinese scam suspects is arrested in his room at a luxury condominium in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, on Dec. 20, 2024. BANGKOK — Thai immigration authorities have arrested six Chinese nationals, including the alleged ringleader, who were operating a sophisticated scam network from multiple units in a luxury condominium on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. Led by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Center, the raid uncovered an extensive operation spanning three floors of the upscale residential complex. The suspects had transformed their living spaces into a high-tech fraud center, utilizing artificial intelligence to rapidly create social media accounts and operating equipment capable of making up to 600,000 scam calls per hour. During the searches of six condominium units on the 16th, 17th, and 23rd floors, authorities seized a substantial cache of equipment, including: 286 SIM boxes, over 208,000 SIM cards, 636 mobile phones, 62 computer monitors, 84 CPUs, and 4 laptops. The suspects, who entered Thailand on student and tourist visas within the past four months, were reportedly managing the technical infrastructure for a larger operation. Investigation revealed that the actual scam calls were being conducted from overseas through remote connections to the Bangkok-based equipment. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/12/21/from-student-visas-to-scam-empire-chinese-ring-busted-in-bangkok/

So my dreams keep reminding me. 😊

From Bangkok Post The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps) has set up a panel to investigate the alleged sexual harassment of 18 cadets by the school's physical therapist, with the initial result expected in seven days. Maj Gen Withai Laithomya, spokesman of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) Headquarters, said yesterday that the probe was ordered immediately after the news surfaced online on Thursday. According to him, 18 cadets aged 16-18, claimed that a lieutenant officer, the school's physical therapist, had sexually abused them from October to November. All said they were touched inappropriately, while one said he was sexually molested but without any penetration. Afaps has now launched an initial probe, and Maj Gen Withai said that a team of investigators would interrogate the therapist as well as the 18 victims and three officers who witnessed the harassment but did not report the offence. The witnesses said the sexual conduct between the lieutenant and the cadets was non-consensual, and headquarters had ordered his immediate suspension due to the severity of the accusations while the investigation was underway, he said. "If the allegations are proven true, the suspect's commanders could also be punished for neglecting to perform their duties to intervene," added Maj Gen Withai. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2924077/army-probes-cadet-sex-abuse-claim .

From Pattaya News Now for our latest in our popular legal corner series from our partners at Anglo Siam Legal, in which they discuss what costly mistake you don’t want to make when starting a business in Thailand!

From Pattaya News Pattaya City painted a rainbow crosswalk on Beach Road, in front of the Royal Garden Plaza, and on Pattaya Second Road in celebration of the newly enacted same-sex marriage law in Thailand, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

This is all good stuff, Olddaddy. You can use it on customers when you open your bar. And you thought you weren't a people person.

I now pronounce you boy and customer.

Virgin X

His orgasm or your orgasm?

If the deal included the ground floor bar it might be attractive because that generates more income than what's above it.

When its first opened the Silom location, Don Don Donki had a small, curtained-off display of sexy lady underwear on ground floor but it was later removed. Think you can still find some of those offerings elsewhere in store but without the naughty enclosure.

Some find uncertainty of the outcome arousing on its own merits. Or to put it in another context, it's the promise of sex. Many athletes are driven by same motivation.

From The BBC The Malaysian government says it has agreed in principle to resume the search for a passenger jet that vanished 10 years ago in one of aviation's greatest mysteries. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014 while on its way to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board. Efforts to locate the wreckage of the Boeing 777 have sputtered over the years and hundreds of families of those on board remain haunted by the tragedy. On Friday, Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet approved in principle a $70m (£56m) deal with US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity to find the aircraft. Under a "no find, no fee" arrangement, Ocean Infinity will get paid only when the wreckage is found. A 2018 search by Ocean Infinity under similar terms ended unsuccessfully after three months. A multinational effort that cost $150m ended in 2017 after two years of scouring vast waters. While the government has "in principle" accepted Ocean Infinity's offer, Loke said negotiations over specific terms of the deal were still ongoing and would be finalised early next year. The new search will cover a 15,000 sq km patch in the southern Indian Ocean, based on new data that Kuala Lumpur found to be "credible", the minister said. "We hope this time will be positive," Loke said, adding that finding the wreckage would give closure to the families of those on board.

Apparently you exhausted their supply.

From The Thaiger A flight to Thailand turned into a scene of mid-air mayhem, sparking outrage online after a viral video showcased the unruly behaviour of Indian passengers. Shared by Ankit Kumar, a content creator aboard the Thai AirAsia flight, the footage reveals groups of Indian men standing in the aisle, chatting loudly, snacking, and blatantly ignoring air hostesses’ repeated requests to return to their seats. Social media erupted after the video, captioned with the sentiment that such antics “bring a bad name to the country,” amassed over 29,000 likes and millions of views. Many users expressed embarrassment over their compatriots’ conduct. “Money doesn’t get you class!” “We should never defend such behaviour. It tarnishes India’s image globally.” Comments poured in from Indians both at home and abroad, highlighting a pattern of poor manners in public spaces. “I’m half Indian, living in Germany, and this is common—loud talking, blocking train exits, and even playing music on phones without headphones.” Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/national/indian-passengers-turn-thai-airasia-plane-into-party-zone

I believe you're referring to Daiso on third floor of Silom Complex (and other locations). I'm familiar with the store and I don't believe they sell sex toys.

That's steep considering that you'd just be buying the business and not the real estate.

NOTE -- A rate cut should translate to a lower baht From Reuters / Bangkok Post Interest rates in Thailand should be cut quickly and sharply to help lift the economy out of “disaster”, says Kittiratt Na Ranong, who is widely expected to be named chairman of the board of the central bank. A Pheu Thai Party loyalist and former finance minister and stock exchange president, Mr Kittiratt told a seminar on Thursday that interest rates were too high and all sides must work together to address that. “It’s the way to prevent disaster. Today, I still believe that,” he said in reiterating a call he first made last year for fast and sharp cuts in interest rates to boost the economy. The government has yet to confirm the selection of Mr Kittiratt as chairman of the board of the Bank of Thailand, but sources with knowledge of the process have confirmed to Reuters his selection, which has been widely reported in local media. The government’s nomination of Kittiratt for the job faced strong opposition from economists and former Bank of Thailand governors concerned about political influence on the independent central bank. The Pheu Thai-led government has been at odds with the central bank for the bulk of its time in office since returning to power in September 2023, mostly over interest rates it says are shackling the economy. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2923126/kittiratt-rate-cuts-needed-to-avert-disaster-in-thailand

From ESPN / MSN Suphanat Mueanta has always been destined for big things -- from the time he became the youngest player to both debut and then score in Thai League 1 at the age of 15. A year later, in 2019, he would set a similar record on the continental stage - becoming the AFC Champions League's youngest scorer at just 16 years and eight months. Many a prodigious talent has however failed in living up to their full potential. That will not be the case with Suphanat. Still only 22, the fleet-footed attacker recently returned to Buriram United after a loan stint in Europe with OH Leuven. The fact that he did not make a real breakthrough might led some to suggest it was a failed spell but the exposure he received would have been invaluable, especially considering he did make 14 appearances in the Belgian Pro League. It will be intriguing to see what the future holds for Suphanat, who should be aiming to continue developing at a higher level than in Thailand. Following in the footsteps of older brother Supachok Sarachat -- who has spent the last two and a half years with Consadole Sapporo -- and venturing to Japan's J1 League seems a logical move. In the present, though, his focus is firmly fixed on helping Thailand win a record-extending 8th ASEAN Championship title. And despite his relative youth, his undeniable quality and the fact that he has been around for a while now mean he is even playing the role of main man -- in an talented but inexperienced Thailand outfit missing some notable names in Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda. The added responsibility has hardly fazed him. With victories over Timor-Leste, Malaysia and Singapore, the War Elephants are already guaranted top spot -- and a semifinal berth -- ahead of Friday's Group A finale against Cambodia. Remarkably, Suphanat has been named Player of the Match in each match and already has three goals in as many games. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/suphanat-mueanta-has-gone-from-teenage-prodigy-to-thailand-s-main-man-at-just-22/ar-AA1w9daN