reader

March means to move in a direct and purposeful manner. Consequently most of us must find ourselves doing so as we walk toward venues that have the promise of sex. Maybe that’s why military types appeal to many of us.

Can understand why someone may wish to own gold but cannot understand why they would display it while traveling. From Bangkok Post PATTAYA: A Swedish tourist told police that a thief stole about 42,000 baht worth of valuables from him early Wednesday morning. Lars Reikwike, 65, told police in front of Pattaya City 8 School at about 3.30am on Wednesday that a man approached him there and stole his gold ring worth about 40,000 baht and 2,000 baht in cash. A 50-year-old taxi motorcyclist who identified himself as Winai said the Swedish man, who appeared intoxicated, was on a roadside waiting for a taxi when the suspect, who he said appeared to be transsexual, approached the foreigner. Mr Winai said he rushed to separate them in a bid to prevent a crime. Later, he said, he learned about the theft but the suspect had left the scene before police arrived. The motorcyclist said the suspect had frequented the area. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2909650/swedish-tourist-loses-b42-000-to-pattaya-thief

From Pattaya News On November 26th, 2024, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed factors supporting Thai tourism growth in late 2024. Flight recovery and increased forward bookings signal strong momentum, with ticket reservations to Thailand rising 28% compared to last year. Key source markets include Germany, South Korea, the UK, the U.S., Japan, and Russia. TAT predicts a peak of 500,000 foreign visitors per day during the final three days of 2024, fueled by nationwide countdown celebrations and relaxed entry measures. These include visa-free entry for tourists, business travelers, and short-term workers from 93 countries, with a 60-day stay permitted. Visa on Arrival (VOA) has also been expanded to 31 countries, up from 19, while the Destination Thailand Visa supports work-and-travel stays. Temporary suspension of immigration forms at key entry points until April 2025 further enhances convenience, according to Thapanee. However, domestic tourism faces hurdles due to slow economic recovery, high household debt, and cautious spending among Thais. Outbound tourism, on the other hand, is growing, with over 1.1 million Thais traveling abroad from October 12th–27th, an 8.19% increase from the previous year. Contributing factors include a stronger baht, school holidays, and promotions on international airfares, making regional destinations particularly attractive.

From Pattaya Mail A market strategist at Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS, Poon Panichphiboon, revealed on November 26 that the Thai baht opened this morning at 34.74 baht per U.S. dollar, weakening from the previous day’s close of 34.61 baht. The projected trading range for today is expected to be between 34.60-34.85 baht per dollar. Since last night, the baht (USDTHB) has shown slight depreciation, moving in a sideways-up pattern within a range of 34.47-34.75 baht per dollar. This is despite the overall weakening of the U.S. dollar, influenced by a risk-on sentiment in the U.S. financial markets and a decline in the U.S. 10-year bond yield. The market has reacted to news of Donald Trump nominating Scott Besant as the new Treasury Secretary under his potential second administration, calming fears of aggressive trade protectionism and massive fiscal stimulus policies that could increase the U.S. budget deficit. However, the baht faces continuous pressure from gold transaction flows, as gold prices plunged by more than 2.4% overnight. The drop reflects reduced market concerns over Middle Eastern conflicts, following reports that Israel is nearing a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Additionally, the baht remains under pressure from crude oil transaction flows as oil prices fell by another 3%, driven by easing concerns over geopolitical tensions in the region. Today, market players are focused on evaluating the monetary policy direction of major central banks, including the Federal Reserve (Fed), the Bank of England (BOE), and the European Central Bank (ECB). Key insights will come from the Fed’s latest FOMC meeting minutes, expected around 2:00 AM Thailand time on Wednesday, and statements from officials of the major central banks. ======== XE Currency showing these cross rates as of posting: Euro 36.37 Pound 43.63 CAD 24.67

Or Z. 🙂

I’m half Italian so smile when you say that. It’s the world’s best cuisine. Pizza prepared in oven insufficiency hot, leaving crust gooey instead of crisp. Now I know why we were only customers. As you should well know, crisp, thin crust pizza is what Madrid is known for: authentic Italian.

This can easily be arranged.

And this is why Putin invaded Ukraine and is now threatening to use nukes. You make it all so clear. 🙂

May we all be as brave when confronted by crisis.

Once inside information is outside it’s no longer inside. 😀

Phoenix Massage offering 250 baht for one hour session Nov. 26 to 27. Good for one month from purchase date.

I agree that talking with prospective off is very good approach before committing to go forward. But also believe accounts of abusive behavior by customers needs to be shared so long as they are not identifiable. Guys in bars and shops run into many very good people but also some dregs. We tend to describe in generalities good guys we encounter along with less satisfactory ones. What’s good for goose is good for gander. It comes down to fairness.

From National News Bureau of Thailand Public alert issued over methanol-tainted alcohol Recent incidents in a neighboring country have brought attention to the dangers of methanol poisoning linked to illicit alcohol consumption. Several individuals have been hospitalized, and some have perished after consuming alcohol contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic substance. Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is an industrial chemical unsuitable for human consumption and is often found in unregulated or home-distilled spirits. Methanol poisoning symptoms can initially resemble those of alcohol intoxication, such as dizziness or a sense of euphoria. However, more severe symptoms may quickly develop, including blurred vision, respiratory distress, muscle convulsions, and life-threatening acidosis. If left untreated, methanol poisoning can lead to permanent vision loss, organ failure, or death. Immediate medical attention is critical for those exhibiting symptoms after consuming illicit alcohol. Treatment for methanol poisoning involves supportive medical care, including the administration of ethanol, which slows the toxic metabolism of methanol in the body. Hemodialysis is often required to remove methanol and its byproducts from the bloodstream, greatly improving survival rates. However, timely intervention remains vital for effective treatment and recovery. Authorities are urging the public to avoid unregulated alcoholic products, such as home-distilled spirits, unverified liquors, or uncertified herbal liquors. Consumers should only purchase alcohol from trusted, legal sources. Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming potentially contaminated alcohol should seek medical care immediately to mitigate the risks of severe health complications or fatal outcomes. (NNT)

Unless I missed something, I don’t see any mention how this status will be influenced by 180+ days tax proposal that is yet to be fully flushed out. ———— From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The government-owned Thai Privilege Card Company (TPC) is offering a new five-year visa for a non-refundable 650,000 baht or US$19,000. To be known as Elite Bronze, the cost is a good deal lower than the previous Elite Gold five-year permit for 900,000 baht or US$26,000. In return, Bronze has fewer perks than Gold although fast track at major Thai airports is still offered and there’s a helpline in English, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese as well as shopping discounts. By comparison, DTV has a processing fee of only about 12,000 baht or US$350. There can be little doubt that TPC has become alarmed at the success of DTV which was introduced only in July 2024. Embassies round the world, but particularly in Asia, have so far issued at least 50,000 DTV five-year visas and probably many more. In comparison, Elite (which has several options within the TPC framework) has issued just under 40,000 permits since 2003: 21 years of Elite contrasted with four months of DTV. Elite Bronze publicity tackles its DTV rival head-on. TPC stresses that the Bronze allows a five-year stay without ever having to leave the kingdom although its status is multiple entry to allow coming and going as members wish. By comparison TPC says “DTV only allows a stay of 180 days”, studiously ignoring the possibility of a further 180 days extension at local immigration. TPC thus promotes Elite Bronze by claiming it bridges the gap between a bare bones DTV visa and the more luxurious and convenient Elite family. Significantly, TPC also stresses that Bronze is suitable for those coming to Thailand on business – though it is not a work permit – and can be used by those who work for “foreign employers and clients”. That appears to be the Bronze tongue-in-cheek response to digital nomads and remote workers currently attracted to DTV. Information provided by TPC points out that you don’t have to be involved in an “activity” to be a Bronze member. This is clearly a reference to the DTV soft power burden to be studying cookery or Thai boxing or having a string of hospital appointments coming up. Another plus for Bronze is that applicants can apply from within Thailand or abroad, whereas DTV forbids applications by those physically present in the kingdom when submitting. Elite Bronze can accept applications from mid-December to end of June 2025. Whether the scheme is later extended obviously depends on how many foreigners actually enrol for the program. And that in turn depends on whether DTV really does offer a five year, multiple-entry window of 180 days on entry plus the bonus of a further 180 days extension at local immigration. If so, foreign residents with a DTV could live in Thailand for five years with a once-a-year border run. The alternative view is that the over-generous DTV will be bureaucratically restricted or compromised and require updated information to be submitted online to allow any repeat use. For answers, we’ll have to wait a few months.

The less complimentary things I hear—aside from zero to 100 baht tippers—are ridiculous demands, poor hygiene, and demeaning behavior.

Can appreciate your position and also dread the flights. But when gorgeous Myanmar guy threw his arm over my shoulder in Dragon and Koi bar last night, flight tribulations faded quickly.

Innocent mistake by old man without glasses. Must make allowances when on tour.

Plan was to take newbie on tour of above on way back to BTS but lure of taxi won out.🙂

From Bangkok Post A 12-year-old boy received public praise for rescuing a 17-year-old girl who jumped into the Chao Phraya River from a Bangkok bridge on Friday night. The incident occurred at 7.13pm in Bang Kho Laem district of the capital. The boy, identified as Thanapat Bunkerd or Klao, told media he and his friends were fishing on the bridge and noticed his line had become entangled with something below. He climbed down to fix it and suddenly heard a loud splash. He then saw a girl, identified only as Natthamon, crying for help. Among the other boys, Klao was the only one who could swim, so he decided to jump in and rescue her. Klao swam quite far to reach her, he said. While in the water, the girl told him she had wanted to die but had now changed her mind. Once out of the river, she was conscious but exhausted. Police and rescuers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and brought the girl to Charoenkrung Pracharak hospital for a check-up. Klao said he was afraid of drowning too, but felt compelled to help. “Don’t do this again because if I wasn’t there, no one would have been able to help you,” he said to the girl. Klao’s mother, Suppawan Thaitanatrob, 31, told the media that she was proud of her son’s bravery in helping others. However, she was also worried about his safety since he was just a young boy. The young hero is studying in third grade at Wat Chan Nai school. His story was widely shared on social media, with many saying he was very brave and worthy of respect. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2908345/boy-12-praised-for-rescuing-drowning-girl-17-in-bangkok

Never known you to ask questions, Olddaddy. 🙂

@stevenkesslar does his research the old fashion way. Will take that any day over artificial intelligence. The problem with OxyContin was its pain killing effect. It was the unscrupulous practices of Purdue Pharma. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to federal criminal charges Purdue Pharma could pay up to $8 billion in the settlement related to the opioid crisis. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oxycontin-drugmaker-purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty-federal-criminal-charges-n1244155

Backpackers tend to be very young and looking to drink with one another. And they favor low cost hostels.

Phetboy has posted new T&B

From Pattaya Mail Khao Chi Chan, home to the world’s largest carved Buddha image, is a must-visit destination for travelers with just one day to explore. Start your morning at Khao Chi Chan, where the awe-inspiring Buddha image is etched onto a limestone cliff. Standing at an impressive 109 meters tall, this iconic landmark offers visitors a tranquil atmosphere to walk around, take photographs, and learn about its historical significance. The serene surroundings of Khao Chi Chan make it a perfect place for reflection and relaxation, leaving tourists with unforgettable memories of this remarkable site in Chonburi. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast or a photography lover, a day at Khao Chi Chan promises a fulfilling experience. Located in Sattahip, just a 30-minute drive from Pattaya City, Khao Chi Chan is a must-visit destination for travelers exploring the area. Renowned for housing the world’s largest carved Buddha image, it is an ideal spot for a one-day trip. The highlight of Khao Chi Chan is the majestic Buddha image etched onto a limestone cliff, standing at an impressive 109 meters tall and 70 meters wide. The golden outline glimmers under sunlight, creating a breathtaking sight. This iconic landmark was created in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign, blending natural beauty with cultural significance. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll around the site, take stunning photographs, or simply relax in the serene environment. Surrounded by lush greenery and a well-maintained park, it’s a perfect escape from the bustling streets of Pattaya.

It’s the way diplomats say only drink Beer Lao in Laos.