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From The Thaiger The United Kingdom government has finalised a significant trade and investment agreement with Thailand, marking the first such deal since the Labour government assumed office in July. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander signed the enhanced trade partnership agreement in Bangkok yesterday, September 18. The deal seeks to eliminate specific trade barriers, focusing on sectors such as technology, customs, and standards but does not encompass broad tariff reductions. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Labour government is prioritising trade to drive economic growth, as highlighted by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Reeves criticised the previous Conservative administration for leaving a £22-billion (approximately 967 billion baht) deficit in the national budget. During the General Election campaign leading up to the July 4 vote, Labour pledged to focus on smaller, targeted trade deals rather than pursuing expansive free trade agreements that often face prolonged negotiations or fail to materialise. The UK has already engaged in sector-specific agreements with Thailand. For instance, a recent deal allows Bangkok to accept UK vehicle emissions testing standards, eliminating the need for additional testing under Thai regulations. The Department for Business and Trade indicated that this arrangement could save UK car manufacturers millions of pounds. A similar agreement for motorbikes is currently under negotiation. Additionally, a recent breakthrough permits UK food and drink manufacturers to submit conformity documentation via email, bypassing the need for physical stamps from the British Embassy. This change is estimated to be worth up to £70 million for UK businesses over five years. The new agreement will establish working groups to address similar issues in areas such as digital trade and clean growth. Trade between the UK and Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, already amounts to £5.9 billion annually. Debra Crew, chief executive at Diageo, which owns brands like Johnnie Walker whisky, expressed optimism about the partnership, saying she hopes it will be the first step towards resolving costly trade barriers. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/uk-signs-pivotal-trade-and-investment-deal-with-thailand

You've become obsessed with telling other people what their orientation is or isn't. I don't believe it's my place to do that so I accept what each individual tells me. If you want to play pop psychologist and insist you know their sexuality better than they do, knock yourself out and babble on. But please don't tell readers that they're delusional. That's a state on consciousness you've successfully carved out for yourself.

From CNN Travel Least satisfying North American mega-airports Bottom 5 scorers (in descending order) in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - 575 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - 574 O’Hare International Airport, Chicago (ORD) - 569 Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - 559 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 552

If they weren't straight before that, they certainly are now. 😃

You made a mistake? How the hell do you think those two poor guys feel. 😄

From CNN Travel Most satisfying North American mega-airports Top 5 scorers in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) - 671 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) - 643 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 633 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 628 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 623 Most satisfying North American mega-airports Top 5 scorers in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) - 671 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) - 643 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 633 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 628 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 623 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/18/travel/airport-satisfaction-2024-north-america-jdpower/index.html

JD Vance illustrates his monster measurement, Would this do it for you? Did I mention he likes strong daddy types?

From Bangkok Post Security personnel cuff demonstrators outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to prepare them for transport to an army camp on Oct 25, 2004. Seventy-eight of them died during the journey. (Bangkok Post file photo: Thawatchai Kemgumnerd) Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2867881/eight-more-charged-in-2004-tak-bai-massacre. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Thai authorities will prosecute eight more former security personnel over their roles in the Tak Bai crackdown two decades ago, when 78 protesters suffocated or were crushed to death when crammed into army trucks, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday. All eight — six soldiers and two civilians — are charged with premeditated murder with foreseeable consequences. The use of overcrowded trucks to detain protesters was inappropriate, though there was no intent to cause death, OAG spokesperson Prayut Phetcharakhun told a press conference. “The suspects could have foreseen that their actions would have led to the suffocation and deaths of the 78 people under their responsibility,” he said. Mr Prayut said that Attorney-General Amnat Jedcharoenruk had decided to ask the police to bring the eight suspects to court for arraignment. If police are unable to do so by Oct 25, the statute of limitations will expire, he added. The Criminal Court in the southern province of Narathiwat last month accepted a related complaint filed by the victims’ families against security personnel after a years-long legal struggle. The seven defendants in the latter case were due to appear in court for witness questioning and evidence examination on Sept 12 but none showed up. Arrest warrants were issued for six of them. A summons was issued for the seventh defendant, former Army Region 4 commander Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri. He is currently protected under parliamentary immunity as a list-MP of the governing Pheu Thai Party. The seven defendants implicated in the first case are accused of murder and unlawful detention for mishandling the demonstration and its aftermath. The eight suspects in the second case are: Gen Chaloemchai Wirulpetch, Sub Lt Nathawut Lueamsai, Wisanu Lertsongkhram, Lt JG Wisanukorn Chaisarn, Piti Yankaeo, CPO3 Pitak Srisuwan, Lt Col Prasert Matmil and Lt Rithirong Promrit. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2867881/eight-more-charged-in-2004-tak-bai-massacre

From The Nation Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt traded ideas on how technology can boost public management efficiency with former British prime minister Tony Blair on Monday (September 16). In their meeting at Bangkok City Hall, Blair, who is also executive chairman of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), and Chadchart shared their experiences as political leaders, as well as the Bangkok governor’s vision to overcome the challenges and the policies he aims to achieve during his tenure. Chadchart and Blair also discussed TBI’s reimagined state initiative, which focuses on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology to boost public management efficiency. This initiative stems from Blair’s vision that the government should adapt to rapid technology advances to boost efficiency in serving people and dealing with complicated issues. The Bangkok governor told the former PM that he had adopted technology in dealing with corruption and ensuring transparency, as well as enhancing education and public health to improve people’s quality of life. He explained that the Traffy Fondue platform has enabled BMA and public agencies to effectively tackle issues raised by Bangkok residents effectively. This platform also proved people’s trust in the BMA, he said. Chadchart added that his ultimate goal was to promote Bangkok as a liveable city for everyone.

When I was a younger man I knew I couldn't (wouldn't) pay the price to stay even a night in these places. But I could afford breakfast or a drink at the bar. From the list above, a can still recall breakfast at the Bel Air coffee shop (doubt it survived renovations). It served the best coffee I've ever had and the pancakes were great. People watching was fun. The Carlyle on upper East Side used to put out a wonderful buffet. And a Manhattan at Bemelmans bar was an affordable--at least then--indulgement. And once listened to jazz at the Mandarin Oriental.

Can assure you that the local clientele take good advantage of the promotions. On a few occasions, I recognized some repeat customers going to of from showers so it appears the savings does make a difference. Although some of the SK guys could hold their own vs the tonier spas, the majority fall into guy-next-door category and that suits me just fine. I think at least half of the bars do a good job of posting photos and particulars. I usually come for two-month visits so the discounts I found useful. On last trip purchased three promotions at Phetboy alone. Very satisfied with results and savings.

Both Phetboy and KK Massage are offering new promotions. Phetboy: 3, one-hour sessions, 900 baht. KK 4, one-hour sessions, 1,000 baht ✅ถามมาเยอะเราก็จัดให้✅ รอบ2ไปต่อไม่รอจ้า 🎉🎉🎉 คูปอง คูใจ 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ บาท…. คอร์ส 1️⃣ชั่วโมง 4️⃣ครั้ง เปิดขาย 17-18 กันยายน 67 ใช้ได้ถึง 3️⃣0️⃣ตุลาคม 67 ถูกและดี รอทุกคนอยู่นะค้าบบ น้องๆมีเพิ่มเติมเรื่อยๆ จับและจองได้เลยคับ 📞0967796428 @bkk23

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Interior Ministry has issued fresh guidelines for the much-discussed Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and the boost for visa-exempt tourists from 30 to 60 days. The DTV is seen as groundbreaking as it frees remote workers from needing a work permit as long as their employment is with overseas companies or contractors. The ministry has now doubled-down by insisting that “such work must not impinge in any way on the Thai economy”, a very broad restriction. Meanwhile, those tourists entering Thailand with a visa-exempt 60 days – the vast majority – must watch their step when they are not sightseeing. An initial announcement by the Tourist Authority of Thailand last July mentioned that “ad hoc or urgent work” could be undertaken for up to 15 days provided the tourist had notified the Department of Labor. Examples given were attending conferences or meetings and – more surprisingly – repairing machinery, auditing accounts or inspecting products. The Interior Ministry now states that, whilst attending occasional meetings is ok, temporary work permits (maximum of two for 15 days each) will be needed for the more weighty stuff mentioned above. Answering complaints that the ruling is a tad ambiguous, the ministry said that more detailed rulings would be available in due course. This is likely a timely reflection of the 10 Pheu Thai governmental priorities for the next year, announced on September 14, which include an “overhaul of visa processing”. This projected overhaul is likely to encompass a great deal more. Government spokespeople last July pointed out that the types of non-immigrant visas should be reduced as functions such as medical tourism, family visas and permission to make movies in Thailand might be subsumed by the new DTV. Not to mention the different rules for retirees under the OA and O extension of stay regulations. Also awaiting clarification is the ETA, or electronic travel authorization, which next year will require all visa-exempt travellers to seek permission in advance of their journey. Once this data base is integrated with that overseeing the issuing of visas, a stated government aim, there will be no significant difference. Everyone will be checked on the same data base for past criminal convictions and/or deportation from Thailand as well as for Interpol warrants. The visa overhaul also gives an opportunity for the immigration bureau to influence the upcoming bureaucracy. There are so many agencies involved in publicity about visas – Tourist Authority of Thailand, Board of Investment, The Cabinet, Department of Labor etc – that it’s often forgotten that the actual implementation is performed by immigration officers at airports and borders. So far, the bureau has been strictly silent.

Very likely wise decision. 🙂

I'd be surprised if any of us were in a position to know.

I wasn't delegitimizing bisexuality. I was dispensing with the ridiculous notion that straight men who have sex with men are "either liars, lousy lays, or both."

Thankfully, sexuality is fluid. That fluidity makes it possible for otherwise straight men to dominate the bars and massage shops readers here patronize. Without them, many--if not most--venues would be unable to keep the doors open.

From Bangkok Post Members of the tourism sector welcome the government's policy on integrated entertainment complex development in the hope it will stimulate the economy, suggesting that some laws and regulations be amended to support the cause. Some, however, doubt whether the project will be worth the impact. Weerawit Krueasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) in Phuket, said he believes it is a good idea to have an integrated complex that includes a casino in a major tourist city. Such a complex should be developed on a full scale with all matters considered, including tax regulation, to draw in investors and increase money circulating in the country, he said. He sees Phuket's suburban areas, such as Thalang district near Phuket Airport, as potential sites instead of a downtown zone. Bring it on Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul said his serene resort town is also ready to support the development of an entertainment complex, part of the government's man-made tourism policy. However, if Hua Hin is selected as a location for the megaproject the government should consider expanding the airport to take international flights to attract more foreign tourists, he said. Mr Nopporn said the economic slowdown has affected the town's man-made attractions such as water parks and amusement parks, causing business operators to suffer financial difficulties. He urged the government to help push Hua Hin as a key tourism destination and bring in more visitors, suggesting the town could house a sports complex and be a perfect venue for international sports competitions. Sa-nga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association in Bangkok, said he supports the government's policy to promote tourism via an entertainment complex with a casino, as it could generate huge income for the country. "If the casino is properly regulated by law, Thailand could become a perfect choice for tourists due to its natural attractions and various entertainment options offering an all-inclusive tourism experience," Mr Sa-nga said. He said he believes the entertainment complex would be more beneficial if it is built in a secondary city rather than a popular tourist destination which is already beset by international tourists as it would distribute income more thoroughly. He said revenue from the project could be allocated to help develop other areas of the country, such as education. Boonanan Pattanasin, president of the Pattaya-Chonburi Business and Tourism Association, said joint ventures between Thai and foreign investors are common in Pattaya. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2866837/tweaking-the-casino-plan Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2866837/tweaking-the-casino-plan. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2866837/tweaking-the-casino-plan. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2866837/tweaking-the-casino-plan. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

By all means. You’ll find them among bathroom fixtures in rest room.

From Pattaya News Photo Tour: GLAM PATTAYA BY TODD BAR Officially Opens at Walking Street Entrance On the evening of September 15th, 2024, the highly anticipated GLAM PATTAYA BY TODD BAR officially opened its doors at the entrance to Walking Street in Pattaya. The grand opening event was a lively affair, attracting both Thai and foreign tourists, along with a host of famous influencers. GLAM PATTAYA BY TODD BAR offers a luxurious club-lounge experience designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere. The venue features soft furniture, warm color tones, and perfectly arranged lighting, creating an ideal setting for those who enjoy romantic privacy. Guests can indulge in a variety of food and drinks while enjoying music from a DJ who plays records all night long. A standout feature of the bar is its professional bartender, renowned for his unique and special cocktail-making skills. The bar caters to both Thai and international customers, with staff on hand to ensure a seamless experience. GLAM PATTAYA BY TODD BAR operates from 7:00 PM to 3:30 AM, and the upper floor of the venue is also available to accommodate additional guests. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/09/16/photo-tour-glam-pattaya-by-todd-bar-officially-opens-at-walking-street-entrance/

This definitely was a former straight night club/hotel complex in its earlier incarnation, as noted above.

From Pattaya Mail On September 14, Chonburi Immigration Police, in collaboration with Pattaya Tourist Police, conducted a surprise raid at a well-known cannabis club on Soi 6, Phra Tamnak Hill Road in South Pattaya. The venue, hosting a lively party with more than 50 Thai and foreign tourists, was found to be in violation of several laws. The raid disrupted an event where patrons were observed partying, drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis, and dancing to a DJ’s music. The operation was triggered by a tip-off suggesting illegal drug activities were occurring. Authorities immediately halted the festivities and began their inspection. During the raid, a Thai woman who identified herself as the club’s manager became agitated and demanded to see a search warrant. However, her objections were quickly overshadowed when officers discovered a suspicious white powder resembling ketamine in a plastic bag. The police proceeded to check the passports of foreign tourists and ID cards of Thai patrons to identify individuals overstaying their visas. Drug tests were also administered to everyone present at the venue. Several individuals were arrested during the raid including David, a 41-year-old Canadian DJ, for working without a valid work permit. Zico, a 23-year-old British tourist, was arrested for carrying a knife inside the club and attempted to flee but was apprehended about 800 meters away, hiding in a banana grove. Ms Suwan, a 26-year-old Thai woman and the club’s owner, was also arrested. Daniel, a 32-year-old British national, was detained for working without proper authorization.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Pattaya doomsayers will tell you Sin City is all but finished. A combination of gentifrication (posh buildings replacing bars and clubs) and diversification (people now bring their kids on holiday here) has all but decimated the old Pattaya. The number of western expats, especially retirees, has dropped thanks to repatriation or liver disease. “Things are not what they used to be,” bewails a British pensioner sipping beer with his mates as they watch the traffic jams unfold on Soi Buakhao. Yet the pessimism is by no means the whole picture. In a few days, according to Dave the Rave’s insider web page, the new Shark gogo club will be opening on Walking Street and will occupy most of Soi Diamond. It’s a three-storey facade, three shophouses long and five shophouses deep, with a downstairs floorspace of 230 sq meters. Over 100 young ladies will make sure the customers – who are just as likely to be South Koreans and Singaporeans as Americans or passport holders of the European Union – are comfortable and free of hassle. For example, if you take your time ogling the gogo dancers, you won’t be told to order another drink before you are ready. Meanwhile, Pattaya’s leading Gentlemen’s Clubs operation is continuing its expansion. It’s a consortium of local bars and clubs offering visitors who join a retreat where they can relax in style and enjoy discounts such as cheap beer, menu choices and weekly pub crawls all announced on regular email newsletters. Gentlemen’s Clubs has recently announced that a 28-room, adult-themed resort with a club will be opening in Jomtien as early as January next year. Based 700 meters from Jomtien Beach, it will replace the current ISOL residential block and the facilities will include small kitchens in the rooms, an onsite restaurant, a coin-operated laundry and a large swimming pool. Pattaya’s gay scene can’t compete with these macro developments. The two main venues remain the Jomtien Complex Super Town and Pattaya’s Boyztown in the center of the city. The main attractions in both districts are the very glitzy and professional cabaret shows, though the audiences remain stubbornly western and elderly in appearance. Where all the gay Russians, Chinese and Indians hang out remains a bit of a mystery according to local bar owners. But, in a break with tradition, a gay bar has opened in the staunchly heterosexual Walking Street. It’s Secrets in Soi 14, formerly a straight club. That’s certainly a first, at any rate for many years.

Although not on Patpong, parent company of nearby Texas Chicken on Silom has disclosed that it is closing all of its shops in Thailand.

Is there a way to become a volunteer researcher in this project? 🙂