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If avoiding walking by Soi 6 massage shops is only thing preventing you from taking unit there, I'd rethink my aversion. Those guys take "no thanks" and "not today" in stride. Nothing ventured, nothing gained they figure. Having stayed in Soi 3 building several times in past, I agree that it does a good size pool that I used occasionally. Only thing that bothered me was that I never saw it being serviced which is something that should be checked daily. Not saying they don't I just never observed it happening. Other than that they're both just minutes from Patpong and Soi 4. Take your pick.

Try driving taxi in Bangkok and you'd become greedy, too.🙂

From The Nation The operator of the Robinhood application has postponed shutting down its food delivery service, saying that many parties are interested in acquiring the business. According to SCBX’s letter to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on Tuesday, the decision is based on the company’s ongoing consideration of acquisition proposals for the entire business from interested parties, which have exceeded its expectations. Other services on the application will cease operation as initially scheduled on July 31, it added. “The company is committed to ensuring that the Robinhood application, a product of Thai innovation for Thai people, continues its business operation sustainably to maximise benefits for all stakeholders, including consumers, merchants, and all Robinhood riders,” it said. SCBX also hopes that the postponement of the application’s food delivery service until further notice will receive support from its customers to assist merchants and riders. Previously, SCBX had planned to end all services on the Robinhood application, which is operated by its subsidiary Purple Ventures Co Ltd, saying that the application had completed its mission of supporting merchants, riders, and small businesses throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The past five years of the Robinhood operations have shown increasing net losses. The company reported an 87-million-baht loss in 202. The net loss surged to 1.335 billion baht in 2021 then to 1.986 billion baht in 2022, with the highest net loss of 2.155 billion baht recorded in 2023.

At least it was for a noble cause. 🙂 From Thai PBS World Twenty-five city officials have been implicated in corruption in the procurement of overpriced and overrated fitness equipment for Bangkok fitness centres. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Nathapong Disayabutra, told a press conference today that a disciplinary committee will be set up to investigate the allegations. The panel will have 120 days to complete its probe, which can be extended by 60 days if necessary, he said. He also said that the procurement of the fitness equipment, involving seven projects, was in breach of state bidding practices. For instance, the prices were inflated above market prices and the specifications were unnecessarily narrow. The deputy permanent secretary also noted that the qualifications of the bidders specified in the Terms of Reference were tailored to limit the number of potential bidders, such as requiring them to submit details of at least four contracts they have signed with state agencies in the past two years, which is beyond the requirements set by the Finance Ministry. Of the 25 officials implicated in the scandal, Nathapong said one of them had resigned, adding that the remaining 24 are not in the same department or unit, but are responsible for the procurement projects.

Those from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar receive closer scrutiny because they are more likely to be working working without permit. If you have a round trip ticket, immigration is already aware based on information provided by your carrier, as mentioned above. More than 100 vans and buses daily carry individuals from metro Bangkok to Cambodia and back where the are usually readmitted if they have no history of overstaying their visa exempt status.

NOTE -- Best filed under don't try this at home....or anyplace else. From VN Express An Indian man was hospitalized in Hanoi after inserting a live eel into his anus, which punctured his intestines and entered the abdominal cavity. The patient was admitted to Viet Duc Hospital on July 27 with severe abdominal pain. After informing doctors of his actions, a scan was conducted to locate the eel. Le Nhat Huy, Vice Director of the Department of Colorectal and Perineal Surgery, stated that doctors initially attempted to use endoscopy to remove the eel. However, they discovered a large lime obstructing the rectum. Due to the eel's location and the patient's pain, surgery was deemed necessary. Surgeons successfully removed the live eel, which measured 65 cm, from the patient's body. The eel had punctured the intestine and entered the abdominal cavity. Following the eel's removal, doctors extracted the lime through the anus. The reasons behind the patient's decision to insert the lime and the eel remain unclear.

From Thai PBS World On National Thai Language Day, many foreign diplomats in Thailand are embracing the occasion by sharing their own take on the local language on social media. The subjects range from Thai food, to slang words, to the number of syllables in the full name of Bangkok. The European Union delegation celebrates the event by posting a video on their official Facebook page explaining 4 Thai slang words, including; ‘Kueap-tui’ (เกือบตุย) – ‘almost dead’ ‘Jhung’ (จึ้ง) – the equivalent of ‘wow, amazing, excellent!’ ‘Tid-Glam’ (ติดแกลม) – ‘addicted to glamour’, and ‘Dai-Yoo’ (ได้อยู่) – depending on the tone, this term carries both positive and negative connotations. Literally, it means ‘quite OK, it’s alright’ but figuratively it could also mean ‘that doesn’t quite work’. These are slang words that the younger generations often use. Kueap-Tui (เกือบตุย) is a modification of เกือบตาย (Kueap-Tai), which means ‘nearly dead or nearly died’. It is often used in a light context to express the feeling of achievement after overcoming difficulties. The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, celebrates the day by reviewing Thai food in Thai. The items on the menu include; durian crisps, noodle with pink sauce and fish balls, Chrysanthemum drink, Tokyo mini pancakes and steamed sticky rice with banana fillings. The programme is called ‘aroi mak mak’ which is a homophone of his English name ‘Mark’ (‘mak’ means ‘very’ in Thai, and ‘aroi mak mak’ means ‘very delicious’). Ambassador Gooding ends the video by saying that he uses the Thai language not only for work but also in his daily life. Robert F. Godec, the US Ambassador to Thailand also joins the event by singing Bangkok’s full name in Thai. The central theme was the question, “how many syllables are there in Bangkok’s full name?”. The video ends with ‘can you guess how many syllables there are?’, but no one was quite sure of the exact number. Both videos of the US and the EU embassies also feature the Thai ‘ya-dom’ or the herbal inhalers that are popular among Thais. Videos are embedded in the following link https://www.facebook.com/EUinThailand/videos/470717442576440/

From The Thaiger Debate is intensifying over whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should be ousted from office following his controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court will likely dismiss the case against PM Srettha, pointing out that no court ruling has been made on the specific crime that would prevent Pichit from taking up the ministerial position. Pichit was accused of attempted bribery in 2008 while representing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a contentious land case. Although he was sentenced to six months in jail, Wanchai clarified that this was for contempt of court, not for attempted bribery. Wanchai also mentioned that the Thai premier had sought the Council of State’s opinion regarding the matter, indicating that the 62 year old prime minister was committed to adhering to legal procedures. “The political circumstances are changing. Most members of the new Senate have good ties with Bhumjaithai. The recent golf date between Anutin and Thaksin at a resort in Nakhon Ratchasima is a sign that a compromise has been reached.” The controversy began when a group of 40 caretaker senators filed a petition with the Constitutional Court in May, demanding PM Srettha’s removal for allegedly violating the constitution by appointing Pichit. They argued that Pichit was unsuitable for a cabinet role due to his 2008 conviction for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials with a paper bag containing 2 million baht. Pichit resigned from his ministerial position just before the court accepted the petition, a move seen as an effort to shield the Thai PM from legal complications. The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on the case against PM Srettha tomorrow.

When ASEAN nationals without a work permit arrive in Thailand by air, Immigrations will want to see proof that they have a ticket out by the end of the specified visa exempt period. If they don't, they can be refused entry if passport shows many consecutive previous visa exempt entries. The decision has always been at the discretion of the immigration officer. When the same individuals return to Thailand via land border, they are routinely admitted for another visa exempt period. Thus the term "border run" was popularized. Technically, any foreigner is subject to the same rules when entering Thailand by air. Last year when I flew to Vietnam for five days and then returned to BKK, the immigration officer asked my how long I intended to stay in the country. I told her 11 days and she issued me another 30-day exemption.

Just realized that AI changed "international" to "internal." My fault for not rereading third time before posting.

I believe there's a bit more to the story than that. Certainly no propaganda for the junta and its supporters in Russia and China. 😄

From The Star PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced the dates for the much-anticipated "National Lakhon Bassac Festival 2024" to promote and preserve traditional Khmer arts. “The three-day event, dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Lakhon Bassac, will be held from October 25-27, at the Department of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh,” according to the ministry’s announcement. The festival will also be broadcast live on the ministry’s official Facebook page, ensuring that the celebration reaches a wider audience. According to the ministry, the event seeks to uphold and promote the values of Cambodian arts, culture, national traditions and identity, as well as contributing to societal development and enhancing national prestige. “It also aims to encourage artists specialising in Lakhon Bassac to revive their activities, thereby preserving this significant aspect of Cambodia’s cultural heritage,” said the announcement. Artists with expertise in the discipline from various organisations and public art associations nationwide are invited to take part.

The practice of "absolute discretion" has from time to time has left internal air arrivals--particularly those from neighboring countries--with little alternative than returning to their home nation and starting their journey over again by land. Examples have been posted in the forum. That said, the 60-day visa exemption is a boon to the guys we've come to know who work in the venues we visit in Bangkok and elsewhere.

From The Nation Thai embassies, consulates, and trade offices across the world on Sunday celebrated the 72nd birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

From Thai PBS World Politicking and profits block path to recriminalising ganja The escalating battle over cannabis in Thailand’s Parliament means the herb is unlikely to be recriminalised or more tightly regulated anytime soon. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reversed his tough stance on relisting ganja as a narcotic on July 23 after Bhumjaithai, a key coalition partner in his government, fought back fiercely against the plan. Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who doubles as deputy prime minister and interior minister, warned of economic consequences if the government changed its marijuana policy. “Who would want to invest in Thailand?” he asked. Numerous investors, both domestic and foreign, have set up marijuana and related businesses in Thailand since Bhumjaithai successfully pushed for the legalisation of cannabis. Thailand’s rapidly expanding cannabis and hemp industry is now worth 36.52 billion baht, up from 31.75 billion baht last year, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting. Last weekend, Anutin played golf with Thaksin Shinawatra who, as patriarch of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, is believed to wield huge influence over Srettha. The prime minister has now decided to handle the explosion in the recreational use of marijuana not via prohibition but with legislation governing its availability. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said there were now four separate marijuana bills being considered, but the legislative process was progressing slowly. As such, Thailand should first put marijuana back on the narcotics list, he added. “However, I have to respect the National Narcotics Control Board’s decision. Let’s see what the board decides,” he said. On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee passed a resolution to relist marijuana as a narcotic, but the resolution will only take effect if it is endorsed by the board. Medics have expressed frustration over the delay in controlling cannabis use. Dr Smith Srisont, a member of the Medical Council and president of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, said recent developments showed politicking was obstructing the path to proper regulation. “Going back and forth or emphasising that cannabis control should be done via the marijuana law means the legal vacuum will continue,” he said. “And the public will continue to bear the brunt.” Anutin, despite his claims, had never really listened to what others said about marijuana’s adverse health impacts, Smith lamented. “Research in both Thailand and other countries shows marijuana consumption causes many negative effects, but he [Anutin] keeps saying there is no solid evidence for this,” he said. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/politicking-and-profits-block-path-to-recriminalising-ganja-in-thailand/

I think it's way too soon to judge their motives when the forces who oppose them are supporting the most treacherous and corrupt junta in Asia. I prefer to judge the Myanmar Nation Army by its declared allies: China and Russia.

NOTE -- I have no idea how these gadgets might work and I don't think I want to. From VN Express Owner of the Gyeongbok spa on Vo Thi Sau Street in HCMC's District 3. Photo by police HCMC police detained seven employees of a local spa on Friday for illegally offering penis lengthening services, detaining, and extorting customers, following multiple complaints and a mid-July raid. The employees, four women and three men, of the Gyeongbok spa on Vo Thi Sau Street in District 3 in the city’s center are now under investigation for the acts of "extortion" and "illegal detention." The owner of the spa is also probed for the same charges but she was released on bail due to pregnancy. Police said they had previously received complaints that the Gyeongbok spa advertised medical treatments and procedures to "increase penis length" and "extend sexual duration" beyond its authorized functions. Some reported it to have signs of fraud. In mid-July, several criminal and economic police officers from District 3, along with local police, conducted inspection of the spa, discovering a 47-year-old male customer from the southern Can Tho City being detained by spa staff over a dispute about the exorbitant service charges. The authorities also found many citizen identification cards and phones of other customers held by the staff due to unpaid service fees. Determining signs of criminal activity, the police brought everyone in for questioning. The investigation revealed that the Gyeongbok spa did not have a license from the city’s Department of Health, its business license did not include the functions of performing "penis lengthening" and "sexual duration extension" procedures, yet it still advertised such services and offered them to customers. The spa hired many employees, but most did not have contracts and were unqualified to perform such procedures, police said. The owner of the spa admitted to purchasing the equipment to use, despite not fully understanding their functions or effectiveness. She is accused of managing and assigning tasks to each employee with the intent to defraud and steal from customers.

From The Diplomat A Myanmar rebel group claims to have seized a major regional military headquarters in the city of Lashio near the border with China, in what would mark a historic and humiliating defeat for the country’s military junta. In a Chinese-language statement published on its Facebook page yesterday, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) said that it had completely captured the military’s Northeastern Regional Command headquarters at 4 a.m. that morning, after 23 days of fighting. “The liberation of Lashio will mark a historic victory in our revolution,” the group declared. The MNDAA also claimed to have established effective control over the city of Lashio, which lies 110 kilometers south of the Chinese border. “Our army has won a decisive victory and is now clearing out the remaining enemy troops. The city is now declared completely liberated,” it added, urging the public to remain calm and comply with its administration of the city. However, the situation remains fluid and conditions on the ground are hard to verify. The Irrawaddy, citing “sources close to resistance forces on the ground,” reported that the city of 170,000 is not yet under full MNDAA control and that clashes are still going on in parts of the city. Myanmar Now, citing local sources, reported that fighting was ongoing but that MNDAA troops “have already entered the city’s downtown core, and were seen approaching the airport [yesterday] afternoon.” For what it’s worth, the military State Administration Council (SAC), the junta’s official name, denied that the Northeastern Regional Command had been overrun, with spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stating that its forces military were currently conducting clearance operations near the headquarters. The MNDAA’s sensational announcement came a day after its ally, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), reported that it had established control over Mogok, a ruby-mining center around 230 kilometers west of Lashio. The MNDAA and TNLA are members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which has been spearheading a multi-pronged offensive against junta positions across northern Shan State and parts of Mandalay Region. During its initial phase from October to January, the surprise offensive, known as Operation 1027 after the date of its commencement, saw the groups capture large swathes of territory in northern Shan State, including numerous towns and several important border crossings with China. The most significant of these was the MNDAA’s reconquest of the ethnic Chinese-dominated Kokang region, from which the military had expelled it in 2009.

From Richard Barrow Train Guide Looking for a train between Bangkok and Hua Hin? The most popular one is Special Express No. 43, which has air conditioning and only takes three hours. You can book this train up to 30 days in advance. Special Express No. 911 is a weekend excursion train. The ticket price is for a round trip. In theory, you can use this train just to go one-way to Hua Hin. You can book these tickets up to three months in advance. The next best train is Ordinary No. 255, which departs from Thonburi Station at 7:20am. Tickets are only 42 baht, but it takes 90 minutes longer than No. 43 and only has a fan and open windows. Like other local trains, you can only buy tickets at the station an hour before departure. If you want to leave from Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong), then Ordinary No. 261 is the one for you. This departs at 9:20 and arrives at 1:50pm. Back over at Thonburi, there is another slow train, No. 251, that departs at 1:10pm. If you don’t mind arriving in Hua Hin in the evening, you can try one of the sleeper trains. All of them, apart from No. 31, have 3rd Class carriages. But you can only buy tickets on the day, as you will be going less than 25% of the entire route.

From The Nation Historical park recognised as Thailand's 8th World Heritage site and 5th Cultural World Heritage site; it is also the 2nd World Heritage site in Udon Thani province At 11am on Saturday, Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol, minister of culture, presided over a press conference at Isara Winitchai Throne Hall, Bangkok National Museum, announcing the inscription of Phu Phra Bat Historical Park as a Cultural World Heritage site. The event featured a live broadcast from the 46th regular session of the World Heritage Committee, held from July 21-31 in New Delhi, India. In the third agenda, UNESCO declared Phu Phra Bat Historical Park in Udon Thani Province a Cultural World Heritage site under the name “Phu Phra Bat: Witness to Sema Culture of the Dvaravati Period”. Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is Thailand's eighth World Heritage site and its fifth Cultural World Heritage site. It is also Udon Thani province's second World Heritage site, following the Ban Chiang Archeological Site, which was inscribed in 1992. According to the National Museum’s website, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is located on a mountain called Phu Phra Bat in Ban Phue district, Udon Thani province. It is part of the Phu Phan mountain range, a sandstone range west of Udon Thani, with an average elevation of about 320-350 metres above sea level. The area is generally open forest, covered with natural hardwood species. Archeological surveys have revealed that Phu Phra Bat has been inhabited since prehistoric times, about 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, as evidenced by more than 54 sites on the mountain with ancient paintings. Additionally, natural rock shelters have been modified into religious sites by people from various cultures, including Dvaravati, Khmer, Lan Xang and Rattanakosin. These archeological traces illustrate the social development of humans in Northeast Thailand. Therefore, the Fine Arts Department requested the use of 3,430 rai of national forest reserve from the Department of Forestry. The area was officially registered as a historical site in the Royal Gazette, Volume 98, on April 28, 1981. Today, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is under the management of the Eighth Regional Office of Fine Arts in Khon Kaen, Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture. The park oversees 78 registered historical sites. Its main missions include the preservation, conservation, and research of archeological sites and artefacts within and around the park. It also serves as a cultural-tourism and educational site for the public.

From Pattaya News On July 25th, 2024, at 1:00 PM, the Thai Patrol and Special Operation Division (PSD) and relevant agencies held a press conference to announce a major bust operation targeting illicit substances across 237 locations, resulting in the seizure of properties valued at over 23 million baht. According to the police, the operation targeted 237 locations within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters. As a result, officers dismantled 166 drug networks across 225 cases, seizing 530,000 amphetamine pills, 46 kilograms of methamphetamine, and other illicit substances. Additionally, they confiscated assets worth more than 23 million baht, including luxury cars and accessories. A notable achievement of the operation was the capture of a Chinese drug lord reportedly distributing illicit substances to the USA via a private delivery company. Further investigation led to the arrest of individuals involved in the drug network, including both Thai and Chinese nationals.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon An interview between the Bangkok Post and a deputy director general of the foreign affairs ministry has clarified some visa ambiguities but left others to immigration discretion. The actual recording is, according to the newspaper, available only by downloading the digital web player Spotify. Naruchai Ninnad, representing the ministry, emphasized that the new policies were designed to increase foreign tourism, in accordance with the prime minister’s desire to benefit the economy. Khun Naruchai clarified that tourists from 93 countries receiving the visa-exempt 60 days on entry could indeed extend for a further 30 days at local immigration. They could then, if they wished, leave the country and return the following (not the same) day to obtain a new 60 days and repeat the whole procedure. This has implications for the celebrated, single-day border runs which have traditionally operated through agencies in Bangkok and the provinces. If implemented fully, repeat if, these tourists would need to pay for a night’s accommodation in a foreign country, thus raising costs. The deputy director general emphasized the number of repeatable visa exempts will depend on individual immigration officers who have absolute discretion. Accordingly, it appears that tourists could still be challenged with the cry “you come to Thailand too often without a visa”. The interview also clarified that if visa-exempt tourists wanted to do ad hoc work – lasting fewer than 15 days – they needed to inform the immigration officer on entry or report to the employment ministry soon afterwards. Turning to the new Destination Visa Thailand, available only at foreign embassies or via the e-portal of the foreign affairs ministry, Khun Naruchai emphasized that the main target group were digital nomads and remote workers employed by overseas companies. But applications are also welcome from “activity” based tourists, assuming they have suitable documentary evidence such as enrolment for Thai boxing or cookery classes. Or even as hospital patients. Another surprising category is “music festivals” though precisely what evidence and updates would be required for any of the above remains blurry. These matters are presumably for the discretion of the immigration officer on entry throughout the multiple-entry five years validity of the DTV. Expats with one year extensions of stay based on marriage or retirement or the Elite visa are virtually ignored in the latest set of changes. It will probably be many months before the visa exempt and DTV ambiguities begin to clear up, so expats are probably safer to stick with what they have. Separately, any foreigner (with any visa or no visa at all) now residing in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year is subject to taxation on “assessable” overseas income with many details yet to be unfolded. There is no elephant in the room. There are several.

I should have been more clear. I was referring to China's 9-dash line (or 19 dashes; it seems to keep expanding) in South China Sea.

15M Massage has been featuring a guy in recent posts that I find difficult to forget: "Harn". Not that it's particularly easy to forget any of them IMO. ======== Nearby Phetboy Spa has posted a link to videos on Tik Tok. https://www.tiktok.com/@phetboyspa?_t=8n6PAB7TEiA&_r=1 Its continually updated lists of masseurs is available at https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/2024/02/phetboy-spa.html

NOTE -- On recent trip I was approached by a foreign male on Surawong Road (near Soi Thaniya), asking if I knew where he could find a hospital. After I directed him to nearby Bangkok Christian Hospital, he followed up and asked if I could change some money for him. I knew instinctively this was a scam attempt. If you're new to LOS, never agree to change money for a stranger. From Pattaya News Two Pakistani nationals were apprehended in Kamala after a series of thefts involving a clever 1,000 baht banknote trick. The suspects targeted businesses across Phuket, Pattaya, and other provinces. On Wednesday (July 24th) at 9:00 P.M., a foreign suspect entered a Kamala pharmacy posing as a customer. He engaged the pharmacist in conversation, using a 1,000 baht banknote to confuse them. The ruse involved pretending to buy small items, then claiming he didn’t want them, resulting in the pharmacist returning the banknote. The suspect would then change his mind and speak quickly, confusing the cashier, receiving both the items and the change, effectively leaving with the original 1,000 baht note. In the west, this sort of scam is called short changing, or a short change artist. The second suspect waited on a motorbike outside the pharmacy, ready to flee. This same tactic was employed at a mini mart in Kamala and three other businesses in Patong. In June, the duo executed similar scams in Pattaya, and earlier in March, they targeted shops in central Thailand, including Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Singburi according to Thai police. Authorities from multiple provinces had been pursuing the suspects until their arrest in Kamala on Thursday (July 25th). The thieves claimed they were intoxicated when committing the crimes and that they hadn’t meant to con anyone. Phuket Police have urged other businesses in the region to come forward if they fell victim to this scam. However, the names and ages of the arrested suspects remain undisclosed. Phuket police have also warned that these men may be part of a larger network and also could be involved in scams involving short changing tourists in areas like Phuket and Pattaya, confusing them by asking to help them exchange money and then short changing the victim instead.