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Sexting is among the most heinous internet crimes to be used against teen boys. It has been the cause of numerous suicides in that age group. Yet if you feel inclined to come to the defense of the perpetrator in this case, Riobard, knock yourself out. I have no idea what you're talking about it .I never claimed that Japanese male tourists are naive. That's what you're claiming. But rational thought has never been one of your strong points. 😄

One Spa is in the process of building a new on-line listing of masseurs to replace the previous version that disappeared earlier this year. You can click on individual photos and view details about the guys and, in some cases, additional photos. https://dif.link/onespa Although you may recognize most of the photos from previous posts from One Spa or other SK shops, there's a few I spotted today that appear new.

From The Thaiger Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that engaged foreign tour agencies from five key markets: Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Germany, South Korea, China, and India. The ACTF and the minister discussed plans to collaborate on boosting Pattaya tourism and rebranding the city. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the ACTF, highlighted that Pattaya has evolved from being a nightlife hotspot to a more family-friendly city with a diverse range of activities. “Pattaya has the potential to become a city of various attractions and a hub for investment as well as world-class events.” ======= From Pattaya Mail Brutal assault on Canadian tourist A brutal assault on a Canadian national in Pattaya’s infamous Soi 6 has cast a dark shadow over the city’s reputation as a tourist destination. On the night of July 31, Mr Mark Robert Westendorf, a 65-year-old former oil company manager, was viciously attacked by men dressed as bouncers. Now, he lies in critical condition in a private hospital’s ICU, while his wife, Mrs Nongyao Panraksa, pleads for justice. This incident is not just a random act of violence but a glaring indictment of the safety conditions in Pattaya’s entertainment zones. According to Mrs Panraksa, her husband had gone out to socialize, only to end up fighting for his life after being brutally assaulted. Witnesses reported that Mr Westendorf was attacked after leaning against a vehicle, with an argument escalating to violence when one of the so-called bouncers struck him, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury. Adding to the outrage, a foreign witness captured parts of the incident on video, confirming the attacker’s identity. The assailant, in a brazen attempt to escape accountability, even tried to seize the witness’s phone. This blatant disregard for law and order is shocking, but what’s more disturbing is the apparent apathy towards the safety of tourists in Pattaya. The attack on Mr Westendorf is a wake-up call. Pattaya’s local authorities must face the harsh reality: their city is becoming synonymous with danger rather than the vibrant nightlife and attractions it’s supposed to offer. How can a city expect to attract millions of tourists when those same tourists risk being assaulted in the streets? The question now is, what will the authorities do? This isn’t an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend where visitors find themselves victims of violence. The safety measures in place are clearly inadequate, and unless there is a drastic overhaul, Pattaya risks losing its appeal entirely.

From The Thaiger Police swooped to arrest a Thai transwoman at her home in Bangkok for blackmailing a 17 year old boy into producing porn. A Thai mother sought help from Thailand’s Internet Crimes Against Children on July 30 after her teenage son became depressed and unable to go to school after being allegedly blackmailed by a ladyboy, later identified as 24 year old Kantamate Kamonsurasate, whom he met on X (formerly Twitter). According to his mother, her son had an online date with Kantamate. Kantamate then tricked the boy into sending her his explicit pictures and videos. He was asked to send the obscene content to the suspect several times a day. The teenage victim wanted to stop sharing the indecent images and videos but Kantamate threatened to publish his explicit content and sell it on social media. The victim had to comply with Kantamate’s orders out of fear of blackmail.

...and maybe some groping.

Actually that's already decided; they'll will be taken by friend to Ha Tinh.

Had Twiiter until the day Elon Musk took it over.

Had all the Eagles' albums back in the day. My favorite all time group.

https://m.facebook.com/61553903012323/

Although unrelated to the on-line business in Japan, this article from last year explores a commercial outdoor scene. From Asahi Shimbun Male prostitutes on tourist visas busted in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district An increasing number of male foreign nationals are approaching men in and around Okubo Park in Tokyo’s infamous Kabukicho district to offer sexual services in exchange for money. Since the end of November, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has caught four of these men in the act of solicitation, which violates the Tokyo metropolitan government’s nuisance prevention ordinance. This is the first time in three years following a lull in activity during the COVID-19 travel restrictions that Tokyo police have made any arrests for violating that particular ordinance. According to investigative sources, two Filipino nationals and two Thai nationals between the ages of 26 and 37 were arrested. They are suspected of illegal solicitation and waiting for customers. The men reportedly told investigators that, “There are women waiting for customers in Kabukicho, so I thought I could do the same,” and “A friend told me I could engage in prostitution-like activities in Okubo Park.” One of the four is a Filipino national, 26, who entered Japan in late November for a short-term stay. He said he had four to five customers a day, charged 10,000 yen ($70) to 20,000 yen each time and earned about a million yen over 15 days. He began coming to Japan for short stays this summer to make money and was arrested on his third visit. Under Japan’s Anti-Prostitution Law, waiting for customers for the purpose of prostitution is illegal. However, the law only applies to women. On the other hand, the Tokyo ordinance prohibits soliciting and waiting for customers for the purpose of prostitution-like activities regardless of gender. According to police, foreign nationals have been offering sexual services around the park for some time. During to the COVID-19 pandemic, this activity was reduced significantly. Since September, however, Tokyo police have been receiving reports of “people standing around the park for the purpose of soliciting prostitution.” The police believe that these men have been entering Japan on a short-term visa since the pandemic-related border control measures were eased. During the crackdown, police said they noticed suspicious men watching the area. Police believe that lookouts warn the prostitutes when police are approaching. The number of male foreign nationals soliciting male customers is increasing on the streets in and around the Wakabacho district in Yokohama’s Naka Ward as well, and Kanagawa prefectural police are stepping up their efforts to uncover them.

Must be something because same individual chose to victimize 73 others before doing same to this tourist. Transgender individuals have a history of targeting tourists.

Thanks for the detailed report. Certainly gives us reason to put Japan on short list. Thought you were wise to trust your instincts in all matters.

Sorry but I don't have any additional information. Suggest you try contacting author (Barry Kenyon) at Pattaya Mail. He has many contacts in the diplomatic community. +66 81 850 0983 ptymail@pattayamail.com

From Bangkok Post 48-year-old transexual was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly swindling a Japanese man, the latest in a decade of similar offences against mostly Japanese men, adding up to about 26 million baht. According to police sources, the arrest of Uthai Nanthakhan aka Amy followed a fraud complaint from a Japanese man aged 36. He filed the complaint at the Thong Lor police station. The victim said he got to know Uthai in January. At that time the suspect told him she was a visitor from Hong Kong. After meeting several times, she duped him into making payments for her. Police said the suspect usually told victims, mostly Japanese men, that she had lost her wallet and passport during her trip and needed to borrow money for such things as applying for a new passport, medications and medical treatment, and insurance. The suspect's fraud record dated back to 2011, with 73 victims tricked out of about 26 million baht altogether. This year police received complaints from three victims who said they lost about 4 million baht. The suspect had been jailed for a similar crime in 2015 and released in 2018.

I prefer this guy🙂

I'm leaving that up to my trust attorney. Have already decided if I pass in LOS body will be cremated there. Expats have likely made plans but visitors rarely do.

Your TR's are always a breath of fresh air and you certainly didn't disappoint this time. You have great respect for the boys and they for you. Hope our trips coincide next time. 🙏

Carlos Yulo is cuter and has killer body. 😍

From Pattaya News Paris, France – In a quarter finals showdown at the 2024 Olympic Games badminton tournament, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, known by his nickname of View, the 8th seed and 8th-ranked player globally and also world champion, delivered a remarkable performance. Facing off against China’s Shi Yuqi, the reigning world number one seeded player, Vitidsarn secured a convincing victory in straight sets. The match, held at the Adidas Arena on Friday night, witnessed Vitidsarn’s exceptional form as he dominated the court. The Thai shuttler triumphed with a commanding scoreline of 21-12 and 21-10, leaving no room for doubt about his prowess. With this impressive win, View advances to the semifinals, where he will continue his quest for Olympic gold. This is the first time in twenty years Thailand has made it to the singles Badminton semi finals at the Olympics.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Dying is a grave affair and not getting any cheaper in Pattaya. The myth persists that you can cremate a friend or loved one for around 20,000 baht (US$570) and that the main factor is which temple you choose. Whilst it is true that the further you move from central Pattaya the cheaper they come, my recent experience as the person authorized-by-the-relatives-in-UK has revealed that the actual costs are distributed much more diffusely. It was quite an undertaking. If you die, or nearly, at home or in the street, you will likely be taken to a hospital. Each of which in both the private and public sector has its own ferrying ambulance service. Separately, at least one private hospital has a mobile intensive care unit whose costs may leave you staggered. My case involved the volunteer Sawangboriboon Foundation taking the deceased to one of the smaller hospitals where doctors worked frantically on cardiopulmonary resuscitation to try and revive a patient who (it seemed to me) had already shuffled off this mortal coil. This “service” cost 19,000 baht (US$540). The local police, as is their wont, then appeared and explained that all deaths require an autopsy unless the patient dies in hospital as an in-patient with a full history of treatment. They also suggested that city hall would issue the death certificate. That’s true, but only after the autopsy I found out later. Sawangboriboon offered to make the arrangements to take the body to the Institute of Forensic Medicine (the morgue), part of the sprawling police headquarters at Rama IV, Bangkok. The transportation cost was a very reasonable 2,000 baht (US$60). Next on the list comes a visit to the embassy in Bangkok to collect an authorization letter to be shown at the Institute. You will certainly need your original passport and that of the deceased, not copies. On arrival at the morgue, it was disconcerting to see that the queue “to visit a dead body” was 50 strong in front of me, mostly the next of kin of Thai road accident victims. There are, of course, ways to shorten the waiting time from several hours to about 40 minutes which can be best left to your imagination. You will be issued with the autopsy report which may contain scant information other than “respiratory failure and circulatory problems”. The cost here was 5,000 baht (US$140) inclusive of a preserving injection to delay decomposition and rental costs in the refrigerator. Not expensive, as it’s the official state rate for Thais and foreigners alike. You will likely be offered by mortuary staff a one-stop service to provide a shroud and coffin, to deliver the body to the temple of choice in Pattaya and provide the all-important death certificate from City Hall. There is also a requirement to obtain a clearance letter from the local police that there is no evidence of a crime connected to the fatality. As you will probably be as exhausted as I was by this time, you will almost certainly agree to the one-stop-shop notion which is truly efficient. The inclusive charge was 9,500 baht (US$270). The temple authorities (you have an enormous choice in and around Pattaya) charged 24,500 baht (US$700) which included preparing the body, providing a simple ceremony to note the passing of an individual before his or her reincarnation and the actual cremation which is officially known as hygienic disposal. You may also need to purchase incidentals such as fresh flowers, the services of coffin bearers at the actual service, even makeup. The mortician, I was told, is the last person to put a smile on your face. If you include your personal travel expenses (one or two trips to Bangkok), the total is another and final 10,000 baht (US$285) at least. Leaving aside wills (known here as “dead giveaways” although my case involved a person who died intestate) and distribution of the estate, the total cost of the cremation was around 70,000 baht or about US$2,000. You may think you could do it cheaper or use a Thai to delegate the whole thing by power of attorney. But Thai colleagues told me that wouldn’t have made much difference. In a resort such as Pattaya, dying is a commercial business like any other. Especially if you are a farang.

From The Thaiger Cebu Pacific introduces its inaugural direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai, starting October 29. This new route marks the airline’s fourth destination in Thailand, adding to its existing services from Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.

+1 Jason's diving images and videos are wonderful examples. Divers who do the pairs--regardless of where they're from--typically become almost identical twins and develop a closeness given to displays of affection that isn't lost on this audience. Thanks for giving us something to cheer about.

That would be akin to saying that all Germans were like Hitler; all Japanese were like their WWII leaders; all Russians are like Putin; all Venezuelans are like Maduro, etc. To most of Trump's supporters, he's a figurehead they rally around because they need to feel part of a social movement that binds them together. They want to be told who to blame for everything from inflation to crime. Trump is that vehicle and a very dangerous one, I agree.

I have a first-hand report that foreigners re-entering Thailand from Cambodia land border received 60-day visa exemption. However, the all-inclusive cost of the transportation services that facilitate the process has increased by 500 baht. There doesn't seem to be any complaints.