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From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Although Thailand has suffered a military coup about every seven years since 1932, experts say the conditions are not right for a putsch right now. Coup historian Barbara Tuchman said, “To put the garment of legitimacy is the first aim of every coup,” but the circumstances are very different from those in 2014 when general Prayut Chan-o-cha cancelled the constitution with considerable public support. For example, the Ministry of Defence regulations have now been amended to allow the prime minister to suspend generals suspected of planning a coup as well as abolishing the military courts against which there was no appeal. More significantly, the military-supporting civilian “yellow shirts” who organized vast street demonstrations against the civilian administration 10 years ago are no longer a powerful force in Thai politics. At that time, the pretext for military intervention was the attempt in parliament to abandon the criminal charges against exiled Thaksin Shinawatra and allow him to “come home”. Of course Thaksin is now a free man, having received even a pardon from the monarch, and an influential adviser to the ruling Pheu Thai party. The former prime minister two days ago dismissed the possibility of another coup precisely because the ingredients of violence and chaos on the Bangkok streets isn’t present. These days the military-backed parties in the Thai parliament are much weaker than before. The unelected Senate, with 250 individuals nominated by the Prayut government, has been abolished and its successor body is not empowered to play any part in choosing the prime minister. Former deputy premier general Prawit Wongsuwon heads up the small Palang Pracharath Party, but this has recently split into two feuding parts with about half its members actually joining the civilian Pheu Thai administration. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who split with general Prawit before last year’s general election, has now retired from active politics to become a member of the Privy Council. The Thai army, with its 1,700 generals, is no longer a unified force in the political arena. Of course, the advent of yet another ruling military junta cannot be discounted altogether. Suspicion of billionaire tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra remains very significant and he has yet to face a trial on charges of disloyalty to the crown. But the main argument against the likelihood of a coup is the existence of an alternative way of subverting politics: the constitution court. The unelected body of nine judges, created in 1997, has jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding political parties. This is the body which recently banned the popular Move Forward Party (now renamed People’s Party) and dismissed the prime minister Srettha Thavisin. Many observers now refer to the reality of judicial coups rather than military interventions. There is no need for “warfare” when you have “lawfare”.

New KK Massage promotion is offering four (4) one-hour sessions for $1,000 baht through Sept. 6.

+1 Would tip well for the opportinty 🙂

Richard Barrow's Train Guide is a good tarting point if you're new to buying tickets or have questions about the process. Options for buying train tickets online in Thailand: D-Ticket (Official site) SRT D-Ticket App: App Store or Google Play 12Go Thailand (travel agency) Baolau (travel agency) PLEASE NOTE: Long distance trains on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines now leave from the new terminal station in Bangkok. When buying your tickets to leave from Bangkok, you need to enter “Krung Thep Aphiwat”. For local and commuter trains, including tourist trains and trains on the Eastern Line, these will still go from Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong). You need to type “Bangkok” as your departure station for these trains. I always like to try and use the official site to buy my train tickets, but when I was abroad recently, I had trouble verifying my payment and couldn’t buy my tickets. Other people living abroad also told me they sometimes had trouble registering or even opening the website. It is true that the official site now has an English version, but they don’t translate everything. Sometimes important information is only shown in Thai. Overall, the interface and the support is not user-friendly which is why many people choose to use an agency site such as 12Go even though there is a service fee. Agency sites have the added advantage that everything is in English including the support. You can also buy through tickets that includes buses and boats. Useful if you want to go to the islands by train. ADVANCE TICKETS: Starting from 1st July 2024, you can buy train tickets 180 days in advance for all long distance Special Express, Express and Rapid trains. However, you must be travelling at least 60% of the entire route to book 180 days in advance. If it is between 25% and 59% of the entire route, then you can book 30 days in advance. Less than 25% of the route, you can only buy one day in advance. Please also note, for local and commuter trains, usually numbered 3xx or 4xx, you can only buy these tickets on the day at the station. You cannot buy these kind of tickets online. You'll also find links to purchasing tickets for buses, ferries and flights in SE Asia at link below. https://www.thaitrainguide.com/tickets/

I've thought about what kind of act would fit well into Tawan's reputation. I think this guy would do the trick. I believe he'd appeal to all cumers.

From Bangkok Post The new cabinet's line-up is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement this weekend. After the former opposition Democrat Party forged an alliance with the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the new cabinet will now have the support of 322 MPs in parliament. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday that Pheu Thai was verifying the eligibility and backgrounds of the candidates before submitting the approved list for royal endorsement. "Pheu Thai is trying to ensure each cabinet minister is a good fit," said Mr Phumtham, who became acting prime minister following Srettha Thavisin's dismissal by the Constitutional Court. Prommin Lertsuridej, the PM's secretary-general, said on Friday that the government now has a sizeable majority, following the Democrats' participation. MPs supporting the coalition government include 141 from Pheu Thai, 70 from the Bhumjaithai Party, 36 from the United Thai Nation Party, 25 Democrats, 10 from the Charthaipattana Party, three from Chart Pattana, and 21 from a faction led by Capt Thamanat Prompow within the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2856792/cabinet-list-heads-to-king

From The Thaiger A night of camaraderie and drinks in Pattaya turned into a nightmare when a 62 year old South Korean tourist plunged to his death from the 10th floor of a hotel in the early hours today. The tragedy, which has left friends and police searching for answers, unfolded at around 5.05am, sending shockwaves through the popular holiday destination. Local police, led by Police Lieutenant Phuttharak Sonkamhan of Pattaya City Police Station, swiftly responded to the scene at a 38-story hotel in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district. Forensic officers from Chon Buri’s District 2 and rescue teams from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya joined them in their investigation. The lifeless body of Byung Yong Lee, a farmer from South Korea, was found on the 5th floor, entangled in a grove of trees. The 62 year old had fallen from the balcony of his 10th-floor room, suffering fatal injuries. Despite the severe trauma, initial investigations revealed no signs of foul play. According to hotel staff, Lee and a group of fellow Korean tourists had checked in the day before. Lee’s friend, who had shared a room with him for over 30 years, recounted their final hours together. After a night of drinking, Lee’s friend awoke to find him missing. Disturbingly, the deceased’s shoes were still in the room, leading his friend to check the balcony, where he discovered Lee’s body below. He immediately alerted hotel staff and security, who contacted the police. Through a translator, Lee’s friend expressed his shock, noting that while the deceased South Korean national had been noticeably intoxicated, how he ended up falling from the balcony remains a mystery.

From VN Express The state-owned China Communications Construction Company is interested in major infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including the north-south high-speed railroad and urban metro systems. Its CEO, Wang Hai Huai, told Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at a meeting in Hanoi Wednesday that the company has been closely tracking major transportation projects in Vietnam, such as the high-speed rail, infrastructure projects connecting China and Vietnam, and metro networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The company is also willing to invest in nearshore and offshore wind power plants in Vietnam using the latest technologies. It first started operations in Vietnam in 1996 and has since undertaken more than 30 projects worth over US$3 billion, including seaports, nearshore wind power plants and industrial zones. Lauding the company’s road, railway and energy projects, Ha called on it to engage in practical and effective cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, construction, transportation, and agriculture to help implement the high-level agreements between the two countries and parties. He urged CCCC to participate in certain infrastructure projects such as the north-south high-speed rail road and three rail links to the Chinese border. Vietnam plans to begin work on a 1,500-kilometer high-speed rail link between the northern and southern regions in 2026 or 2027. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a conference in July that the government should conduct research for building a rail that allows speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. It should be completed by 2035, he added.

From The Thaiger The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakom (KT), are urgently reviewing a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruling before they settle a colossal 11.75 billion baht debt owed to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). This follows a Supreme Administrative Court order on July 26, which gave BMA and KT just 180 days to pay up. The debt, linked to the operating and maintenance (O&M) costs of the Saphan Taksin-Bang Wa and On Nut-Kheha Green Line extensions, is now under intense scrutiny due to a potentially game-changing NACC ruling. The NACC previously determined that the BMA’s decision to hire BTSC to operate three extensions of the Green Line between 2021 and 2042 might have violated key laws, including the Private Participation in State Undertaking Act and the Act Concerning Offences Relating to the Submission of Bids to Government Agencies.

Mamasan had his agenda and it appears to be aimed at getting the boy back to the bar for last show. The excuse "nobody does long time anymore" is a new one in my experience. You definitely made right move when he asked for tip.

Agree that sexual tastes run the gamut. What seems most important is how individuals identify themselves in that expansive range. We really can't put ourselves in another's shoes because our sexual attraction is wholly unique. What we can do, however, is accept someone else's description of their unique attraction. Having said that, I don't believe I'm going out on a limb here in saying that 99.67% of members here are gay. 🙂

Same same.

Your familiar voice always provides welcomed reassurance of your incomparable wit and mastery of language , Riobard. 🙂

From The Nation A Thailand-based Spanish chef, who faced the death sentence for the murder and dismemberment of a Colombian surgeon on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province, was given the life sentence by the Koh Samui Provincial Court on Thursday. The court said the punishment for Daniel Jeronimo Sancho Bronchalo, 30, has been reduced to life imprisonment, as he had confessed to killing and dismembering his lover, Edwin Miguel Arrieta Arteaga, 44. Bronchalo has been ordered to pay 4.42 million baht at an annual interest rate of 5% to Arteaga’s relatives.

From Pattaya Mail A confrontation between a landlord and an LGBTQ group in Soi Thepprasit 7, South Pattaya, went viral on social media on August 28. The video shows the landlord, 73-year-old Suchin Chonma, allegedly attacking the group after they sought a refund for a temporary room rental. Suchin explained that two men checked into the room at 11:00 a.m., while a woman waited in the car. After 20 minutes, the woman entered the room, prompting Suchin to refuse accommodation for the additional guest. He asked the group to leave, offering a partial refund of 350 baht, retaining 100 baht for temporary use of the room. Suchin claimed that the group refused the offer, argued, and attempted to assault him, resulting in injuries. Suchin defended his policy limiting room occupancy to prevent disturbances and criticized the group’s 20,000 baht damage claim as excessive. Witnesses reported seeing the group attacking Suchin but intervening to stop the altercation. The dispute remains unresolved and is expected to proceed to court, as no settlement was reached at the police station.

From Pattaya News A 36-year-old New Zealand man died after jumping from the 7th floor of a hotel in Pattaya on the morning of August 29th, 2024. At around 6:00 AM today, Pattaya police received a report of a foreigner falling to his death at a hotel in the heart of Pattaya near Beach Road in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. Upon receiving the report, police and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation quickly rushed to the scene. There, authorities discovered the lifeless body of a 36-year-old New Zealand national, who had fallen from the balcony of a 7th-floor room. His body had landed on air conditioning and electrical conduits of a nearby building, resulting in an immediate demise. Rescue workers carefully recovered the body, and an initial examination by police revealed no signs of physical assault on the body. His name was withheld by The Pattaya News pending confirmation of full contact to his relatives and embassy. According to the hotel staff, the deceased had exhibited signs of what appeared to be drug-induced hallucinations. He was heard shouting “Help Me!” in English, before jumping to his death. The staff already had tried to calm him down but unfortunately wasn’t successful. After regaining their composure, the staff immediately contacted authorities. Pattaya police examined the victim’s room and revealed that there were no indications of foul play. Hotel staff also provided a video clip capturing the man’s frantic state before his fatal jump, which has been collected as evidence. The body was transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

From The BBC It may be an innocent enough racquet sport, but Hong Kong's Education Bureau has unintentionally given badminton a whole new meaning. In teaching materials it released last week, a module titled adolescents and intimate relationships for Secondary Year 3, suggested that teenagers who wanted to have sex with each other could "go out to play badminton together" instead. The materials also include a form called "My Commitment" aimed at getting "young lovers" to attest that they would exercise "self-discipline, self-control, and resistance to pornography". The new materials have raised eyebrows and attracted criticism for being "out of touch". But officials have defended the decision. Meanwhile social media has been flooded with jokes centered around "playing badminton". "FWB [Friends with benefits]?? Friends with badminton," read one comment on Instagram that had more than 1,000 likes. Continues at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4glreq44y1o

There was no personal insinuation in the OP; it was entirely a direct quote from The Thaiger. But agree that he's barely comprehensible, like a certain bird trying to talk.🙂

If Trumpsters liked the stock on $66,, they must love it at $19. From CNBC The monthslong Trump Media stock slide continued Wednesday, as shares of the company majority-owned by former President Donald Trump fell below $20 for the first time since the Truth Social maker went public in March of this year. As of 12:45 p.m. ET, the stock price of DJT has dropped more than 75% from its intraday high on March 26, the day the company debuted on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Trump owns nearly 59% of Trump Media’s stock. Even after losing much of its value, Trump’s stake at Wednesday’s stock price is still worth more than $2.2 billion — more than half of his on-paper net worth, according to Forbes. Trump, and other company executives and insiders, are bound by lock-up agreements that have so far barred them from cashing in on their shares. But the lock-ups are set to expire as soon as Sept. 20, at which point Trump may choose to start selling his shares.

From Pattaya Mail By Jessataporn Bunnag Much has changed over the past 30 or 20 years. Many of the western expats who retired here in the past and married Thai women have now died. Thus we are much more focused these days on wills, probate and overseas pension entitlement (if any) for the widows. Separately, there is less demand for holiday visas for Thai relatives to visit the expat’s home country. The number of annual extensions of stay here in Thailand, based on retirement or marriage, has fallen by around half since around the turn of the century. Gay marriages will be available within the next few months, allowing foreigners may wed their Thai same-sex partners, but the impact is unlikely to be huge. Thanks to the massive building programs in Pattaya over the same period, there’s a lot more property for sale. Since foreigners can own condominium units but not land, they often establish a company to buy a house. One of the problems here is the use of Thai nominees, (who have no connection with the foreign buyer) who will own at least 51 percent of the shares. When the foreigner dies or wishes to sell the property, the cooperation of the nominees is required by law and they are certain to demand their percentage share. Our general advice, if setting up a company to buy property, is to “keep it in the family” and avoid including strangers. Or take out a lease rather than a purchase. The customer base for lawyers is changing as more non-traditional markets, especially China and India, expand annually. Apart from tourism, there is currently a lot of interest in long-stay visas such as Elite, Long Term Residence and the new Destination Thailand Visa or DTV. The Elite visa dates from 2002 and was originally designed for westerners, but the largest number of applications in recent years has been from Chinese nationals. The DTV, on the other hand, is mainly aimed at digital nomads working for overseas-based companies. The early signs are that the main market will be Americans and Europeans who are not tied down in their employment to an office or base. Another growth area will almost certainly be the income tax consequences for tax residents, Thai or foreign, who spend 180 days or more in Thailand over a calendar year and remit cash from abroad. Our understanding is that the Thai Revenue Department will be publishing forms and a commentary later in the year. Hopefully this cover contentious issues such as double taxation treaties and pensioners living here on pre-taxed income. It is worth noting that the submission of a tax form does not automatically mean any tax is due. Moreover, no supporting documentation is required unless the individual is chosen for audit. My personal view is that some Pattaya expats are overreacting to this issue. Attorney and public notary Jessataporn Bunnag can be reached by email at lawyerpattaya@gmail.com

Everyone has missed your enlightened prose. 🙂

They can't possibly beep horns any more than they do in Hanoi. But perhaps he was more hooked on the "horny" and not the horn.

From Pattaya News In a bizarre incident, local students in Pattaya captured a shocking video clip of a foreigner engaging in inappropriate and obscene behavior on a condominium balcony. The incident has prompted authorities to issue a warning against obscene acts on balconies. At approximately 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2024, students from a nearby school witnessed the foreign man, shirtless, rubbing his chest and genitals against the balcony railing. The explicit nature of the act caused discomfort among students, teachers, and parents in the vicinity. The students promptly reported the incident to the Pattaya City Police, who launched an investigation. The suspect, identified only as a Kuwaiti national on holiday aged 25 to 35, expressed remorse and apologized for his actions. He claimed that he was unaware anyone would witness his behavior. The condominium owner, whose reputation was also tarnished by the circulating video clip, also received an apology from the remorseful foreigner. Additionally, the suspect addressed society at large, acknowledging the impact of his actions on the group of students who witnessed the incident. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise discretion and respect community norms to maintain a safe and harmonious environment in Pattaya, which is a leading family friendly resort, said police. Continues with photo https://thepattayanews.com/2024/08/28/kuwaiti-tourist-apologizes-after-being-caught-performing-obscene-act-on-condo-balcony-in-pattaya/

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Thai Nippon Rubber Industries (TNR) has secured the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell “Playboy” condoms worldwide, except in Mexico, for 30 years. TNR will invest between 500 and 800 million baht ($14.7-23.5 million) in a new factory in Chonburi by 2025 and plans to increase production capacity to 3 billion units per year. On August 26, Amorn Darraratanaroj, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Nippon Rubber Industries Public Company Limited (TNR), a manufacturer and distributor of condoms in Thailand, stated that the global market for condoms is currently worth 200 billion baht ($58.7 billion) and is growing at a rate of 5-7 percent. The five countries with the highest condom usage are China, the United States, India, Indonesia and Japan. In Thailand, the market is estimated at 1.5 billion baht ($44 million) and is growing by 7 percent annually, in line with the global market trend. The target demographic will focus on young adults aged 18-36. The company plans to sell premium “Playboy” condoms in Thailand and globally, including in the United States, China, and emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, and Africa. In addition, the company is preparing to invest around 500 to 800 million baht by the end of next year to build a new factory on a 16-rai plot of land. The company is currently in the process of selecting a site in various industrial areas in Chonburi Province. The new factory will increase the total condom production capacity from the current 2 billion units per year to 3 billion units per year. “We recognize the growth potential in the premium condom market where consumers, especially the younger generation, see condoms not only as a means of contraception and disease prevention, but also as a way to create new experiences that express their lifestyle and identity. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2024/08/27/thai-nippon-secures-exclusive-worldwide-rights-for-playboy-condoms/

From Pattaya News Get ready for an incredible lineup of artists at the Amazing Music Festival Over The Horizon! Taking place from August 30th to September 1st, 2024, at Pattaya Central Beach, this exciting festival promises an exciting mix of music and entertainment right by the sea. The festival runs daily from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with the stage area opening at 5:00 PM. The best part? The event is completely free to attend! So, clear your schedules and join them for some unforgettable moments. There will also be plenty of food vendors and fun.