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Doesn’t leave much then to the imagination. 🙂

Definitely Bostonian, and only a Bostonian would recognize and appreciate it. To wit, the classic line from “Good Will Hunting”: ‘How do you like them apples’

On per capita basis, Pattaya and environs may be suicide capital of “free” world.

Trump and Musk very likely already have school lunch programs in crosshairs.

From Bangkok Post The Ministry of Labour will work with the Thai Massage Association in France to upskill spa workers, increasing their chances of securing jobs there. Permanent secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth held talks with Sasima Park, president of the Association Française Nuad Thai & Spa (AFNTS) at the ministry to discuss initiatives aimed at upskilling Thai workers in the sector. He thanked the association for its role in providing employment opportunities for Thai workers. Thai workers seeking to improve their skills in massage and spa services can now contact the DSD for certification, which will help them secure legal jobs in France, he said. Currently, there is no Thai Labour Office in Europe, but this may be reconsidered in the future as the number of Thai workers in France increases. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2981125/thai-govt-eyes-grip-on-massage-in-france

From Pattaya News At 11:30 a.m. on March 16, 2025, Police Lieutenant Manasak Pholyiam, Deputy Inspector of the Pattaya City Police Station, received a report about the discovery of a foreign national’s body lying dead beneath a mobile phone signal pole on Koh Larn. Upon arriving at the scene, inside the fenced area of the mobile network signal pole—which stands at least 30 meters tall—the body of a foreign national was found. The deceased was later identified as a 54-year-old Czech national. The body was lying face up, wearing a long-sleeved black hooded shirt, blue shorts, and gray socks. Both of his legs were broken, and he had been dead for at least 5-6 hours. There were no signs of a struggle around the scene, but a backpack, presumed to belong to the deceased, was found nearby. Inside the backpack were a passport, cigarettes, and a blue document envelope containing the deceased’s identification papers. The police collected these items as evidence. The victim’s full name was withheld per editorial policy to allow time to contact his embassy and family. Police Lieutenant Manasak Pholyiam revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the deceased may have climbed the signal pole before jumping to his death, likely indicating a suicide. Further investigation revealed that the deceased had come to the island as a tourist, renting a motorcycle for three days without booking a room and evidently sleeping in the jungle, before the tragic incident occurred. However, the police will send the body for a detailed autopsy at the Police Hospital and coordinate with his embassy to jointly investigate and determine the exact cause of death. Just one week earlier a Japanese tourist was found hanging near a viewpoint at Koh Larn, also suspected to be a death by suicide. Continues with photos https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/16/mysterious-death-of-a-czech-national-found-dead-under-a-telephone-signal-pole-on-koh-larn/I

From Patttaya News Thailand has been named “Best LGBTQ Destination” at the Spartacus Travel Awards 2025, based on votes from readers of Germany’s Spartacus Magazine and input from a panel of travel and lifestyle experts. The award was presented at a ceremony held earlier this year, reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a top global destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Deputy government spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak stated that the award reflects Thailand’s welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ tourists. Factors contributing to the recognition include the passing of the Equal Marriage Act in January under the government’s policy, as well as the presence of LGBTQ-friendly hotspots in major cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/16/thailand-wins-top-lgbtq-travel-destination-award-for-2025/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon With a couple of weeks left to sign up with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) for cash transmitted from abroad in the calendar year 2024, questions still abound. It all depends whom you ask. Some Thai tax lawyers, for instance, say the tax net includes use of overseas credit cards and transfers via Wise, others argue it’s more complicated than that. Some claim that everyone who was present in Thailand for 180 days plus last year needs to file, an observation hotly disputed by others who stress no need if you didn’t transfer “assessable” income. Benjamin Hart, a naturalized Thai citizen and managing director of Integrity Legal, in his videos has argued forcefully that typical pensioners living here on pre-taxed income in their home country should not be fooled by foreign “tax-pimps” who have no authority anyway under Thai law. He does caution that those in doubt should consult a native Thai tax consultant, emphasizing that there has been no change in Thai law, merely a revised interpretation by TRD. Other commentators last year went further and predicted that the matter might well be contested in the Thai courts with a likely win for the tax residents under financial threat. However, no such legal challenges have apparently been initiated. Pinsai Suraswadi, newly appointed director general of TRD, has stated that expats, Thai or foreign, who are tax residents should file paperwork by March 31 with a further week’s leeway for online submissions. He was very candid that the specific amount payable would depend on the nature of such income and the tax treaty with their country of origin. He also conceded that the entire move to involve foreigners and their transmitted income was due to rising public debt, slow economic growth and an ageing population. Data collected by the Pattaya Mail and feedback provided to Facebook groups strongly suggest that each TRD office is interpreting the rules in its own way. In Bangkok, several expats showed detailed financial paperwork and were told nothing (or just 3,000-4,000 baht) to pay. In Chonburi, some assessments have been made without any paperwork required beyond passport and address confirmation. In Surat Thani, one expat said the officer was interested in double taxation, another being sharply advised to the contrary. Rather like the Destination Thailand Visa in a very different context, officer discretion in embassies, rather than agreed rules, is the order of the day. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/no-sign-of-a-common-thai-policy-to-tax-expats-on-overseas-remittances-494166

Because the boys receive 100 baht commission on each drink a customer buoys for them, the credit has to be carefully credited to their number at time check is settled. This can take some time when more than one boy is involved. Good to hear you had a good time.

From Reuters / The Nation About 30 % of first-time users in Japan of offshore online casinos became indebted within a week after starting gambling at the sites, a Japanese survey has shown. "I'm astonished at the speed," said Noriko Tanaka, representative director of the Society Concerned about the Gambling Addiction. "We need drastic measures, such as cutting off access from Japan" to foreign online casino services, she emphasized. In Japan, professional baseball players and show business people were found to have played online gambling, causing controversy as the illegality of the practice was not widely known. The Tokyo-based society conducted the internet questionnaire survey on 93 men in their 10s to 50s who had received support from the organization. All of them gave their answers. Respondents who started online gambling after learning of it on "advertisements or social media" accounted for 23.7 %, the biggest group. Those who "became interested by watching videos on YouTube or other services" came next at 22.6 %. Other popular answers included they "liked gambling and games" and "friends or acquaintances recommended" online gambling to them. Of the total, 30.1 % started borrowing money "within a week" after using online casino services for the first time, and an additional 33.3 % did so "within a month." Those who borrowed "within a half year" reached 11.8 %, while 9.7 % borrowed "within three months." Those who did not borrow at all came to 7.5 %. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40047466

NOTE — Authorities were reportedly absolutely shocked to find that this activity was occurring on Soi Nana. From Pattaya News Authorities in Thailand’s capital conducted a late-night sweep this week in the Soi Nana district, a well-known nightlife hub off Sukhumvit Road, resulting in the arrest of 13 foreign women suspected of engaging in prostitution-related activities. The operation was led by Lumpini Police in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). The detained women, identified as eight Tanzanians, four Vietnamese, and one Uzbek national, were apprehended during a targeted crackdown on Tuesday night. Police and MSDHS officials descended on Soi Nana, also known as Soi 4, a bustling strip lined with bars and entertainment venues, following reports of illicit activities. The suspects were subsequently transported to Lumpini Police Station, where they now face charges related to maintaining public order and potential violations of Thailand’s prostitution and immigration laws. This latest operation is part of a broader campaign by Thai authorities to address unregulated sex work and improve the image of key tourist districts. In December, a similar crackdown took place in Pattaya as we reported here. Lumpini Police have stated that investigations are ongoing, and additional measures may be implemented to prevent similar activities in the future. Thai activists are proposing to decriminalize prostitution to Thailand and urging government to consider their bill, but even if passed would likely not include foreign workers and only be for Thai nationals. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/16/thirteen-foreign-women-arrested-in-soi-nana-prostitution-crackdown-in-bangkok/ ============ Two Indian Men Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of German Tourist Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province – On Friday night, March 14, 2025, Thai authorities arrested two Indian men suspected of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old German woman following the popular Full Moon Party on the island of Koh Phangan. The Full Moon Party, held monthly on Haad Rin Beach, attracts approximately 20,000 international visitors, particularly backpackers and thrill-seekers, under the glow of the full moon. According to Thai media, the alleged assault occurred after the party, with police responding swiftly to detain the suspects. The victim, a German national, is among the many European tourists who visit Thailand annually. Thailand has implemented measures to address such incidents, including increased police presence at popular tourist spots like Koh Phangan and stricter penalties for sexual crimes. Thai authorities have not released the identities of the suspects or the victim, respecting privacy laws. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/16/two-indian-men-arrested-for-alleged-sexual-assault-of-german-tourist-after-koh-phangan-full-moon-party/

May have been inclined to join you in that worthy cause.

+1. Singha’s popularity is likely stongest in Bangkok. Thai beers tend to have a higher alcohol content. Chiang and Singha are 5.0% by volume while Leo comes in at 5.5%. If you’re looking for a low alcoholic content beer, Singapore’s Tiger brand, widely available in Thailand, is 2.0%.

+1. There is nothing wrong with saying gay men because this is clearly their target market.

Beer in Thailand is one of the most important selling products, which comes along with a long history. Starting beer brewing in 1933 Thailand established to be a successful niche product in the Thai market as well as in the world market. The biggest and most popular breweries in Thailand are the Boon Rawd Brewery, Thai Asia Pacific Brewery and Thai Beverage. Boon Rawd Brewery is known for its production of Singha Beer and Leo Beer. The production of the famous Chang Beer is at the ThaiBeverage Brewery and the Thai Asia Pacific Brewery brews Heineken and Tiger beer. https://www.khaolaklanddiscovery.com/beer-in-thailand-everything-you-need-to-know-about-thai-beer/

The 40 represented those actually on stage last night.

In what may have been some kind of near term record, 25 of the 40 boys in Freshboy rotation got offed Saturday night.

Walked by what appears to be location tonight at 12:35 am. directly opposite Meridien Hotel in alley beside Urban Thai Massage. unable to locate any sign but a group of Thai guys were just leaving what looks like upper floor exit. They were all dressed in black shirts and shorts that suggested staff.

Vietnam guys don’t seem so picky. Take them to Foodland and they’re easily satisfied.

From The Thaiger Bangkok’s iconic Victory Monument, a historic landmark honouring Thailand’s fallen heroes, has officially been registered as an ancient site by the Fine Arts Department. The announcement, published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, March 12, confirms the site’s protected status, securing its preservation for future generations. The declaration, made under Section 7 of the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act 1961, establishes the monument’s official designation as an ancient site, covering an area of approximately 3 rai and 31 square wa in Ratchathewi district. The registration follows an announcement issued by the Fine Arts Department on February 4. Victory Monument was constructed to commemorate 59 Thai soldiers, police officers, and civilians who lost their lives during the Indochina conflict between Thailand and France. https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/victory-monument-area-in-bangkok-declared-a-historical-site

From Pattaya News A major accident struck Bangkok in the early hours of Saturday, March 15, 2025, when a steel beam structure collapsed at a construction site along Rama 2 Road in the Dao Khanong area. The incident, which occurred at 2:01 AM, has claimed at least five lives, injured 27 people, and left five individuals unaccounted for, according to preliminary reports from local authorities. Emergency response teams have been deployed to the scene, working to rescue survivors and recover bodies amid the wreckage. The collapse took place at the construction site of the Rama 3-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Expressway project, within contract section 3, which covers the inbound route to Bangkok. Details surrounding the cause of the collapse remain unclear as investigations are still in their early stages. Initial eyewitness accounts suggest that a massive steel beam, part of the framework for an elevated section of the expressway, gave way unexpectedly, bringing down a cascade of debris onto workers below. Emergency services, including paramedics, firefighters, and police, were quick to respond despite the challenges posed by the pre-dawn timing and the wreckage. Rescue operations have been hampered by the heavy steel components and unstable conditions, raising concerns about the safety of both survivors and responders. Local hospitals, such as those in the Bang Khun Thian and Chom Thong districts, are treating the injured, some of whom are reportedly in critical condition. Rama 2 Road, a vital road for commuters and commercial traffic, has been partially closed as rescue efforts continue, causing disruptions. Families of the missing workers anxiously await updates, while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has promised support for those affected. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/15/overnight-construction-collapse-in-bangkok-claims-at-least-five-lives-and-leaves-27-people-injured/ —————— 36 Injured Including Nine Americans in Bus Crash In a tragic accident, a tourist bus veered off the road and crashed into a high-voltage pole, resulting in multiple injuries. The accident occurred on the Petchkasem Road (inbound to Bangkok), near the Pho Kaew Rice Mill Underpass. According to the Khao Yoi Police, the authorities received a report of the accident involving a tourist bus carrying foreign tourists. Emergency responders rushed to the scene. On arrival, they found a bus collided with the power pole, snapping it in two. The bus was carrying 36 passengers, including 15 Thais, 12 Burmese, and 9 Americans. All of them sustained various injuries. Emergency responders worked quickly to transport them to Khao Yoi Hospital and the Phra Chom Klao Hospital. Three of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/14/thirty-six-people-injured-including-nine-americans-in-phetchaburi-bus-crash/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The UK inspired T-shirt says that good guys go to heaven and bad ones to Pattaya. There has been a recent spate of juicy reminders such as naughty boys urinating on the beach, arrests for poker enthusiasts and Liverpool “kiss” street fights involving knuckleheads outside a mobile brothel in a city red light district. Now there’s benefit fraud, with TikTok celebrity Ellis Matthews – arrested in Pattaya for visa overstay – having allegedly cheated the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) out of 2,300 pounds monthly maybe for years. Ms Matthews says she enthusiastically advised her followers on social media how enjoy luxury in Thailand at British taxpayers’ expense. How much of her cash story to believe, as detailed in UK newspapers, is an open question. Why would someone so rich go into overstay in the first place? Extensions and border hops are very easy and cheap to obtain lawfully in Thailand. Why wouldn’t a jealous TikTok reader report her to the well-publicized phone number of the DWP fraud and error service? There’s no denying benefit fraud (90 percent of it within the UK) costs the UK government a lot of money, perhaps 8 billion pounds a year according to one DWP estimate. Yet Thailand is not amongst the front runners. A DWP report has Spain as number one and there’s even a special fraud hotline number based there. Then comes Pakistan, Turkey, India, the US, France, Bangladesh and finally the Land of Smiles with a modest 172 cases known. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/uk-benefit-fraud-keeps-pattaya-in-the-headline-news-494069

For me, Phoenix is the only shop where every guy I chose kissed, albeit some more passionately than others. But Phoenix is the exception to the rule. And all but one managed to come. At 15M, some are open to cuming but may ask for additional compensation.

+1 (you beat me to this but then again I knew you would 🫠)