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From The Thaiger Patong police are currently pursuing a group of men responsible for a gang assault on Bangla Road that left a British tourist injured early yesterday morning. The incident took place near a 7-Eleven close to Soi Sea Dragon at 4.40am. Charlie Faulkner, a British tourist, was found with a stab wound on his lower left side when officers arrived at the scene. Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation administered first aid and subsequently transported him to Patong Hospital for further treatment. Witnesses reported to the police that Faulkner had been involved in an argument with a group of Thai men before being stabbed. After the assault, the group fled the scene, leaving Faulkner to seek help inside the 7-Eleven store. In related news, police arrested six Thai men for beating and stabbing two foreign men during the Songkran festival in the Isaan province of Roi Et on April 15.

Visakha Bucha Day, also known as Vesak, will be observed on May 22, marking a public holiday in Thailand. On this significant Buddhist day, the sale of all types of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in convenience stores and entertainment venues, as per Thai law. Vesak Day is a cornerstone of Buddhist religious observance in Thailand, commemorating three pivotal events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing away. These events coincided on the same day, which is the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, making it a day of profound spiritual importance for Buddhists.

From The Thaiger An underwear thief, dressed only in his undies, drove to a house and stole a collection of underwear, later claiming it was the result of a dare. The incident took place on the morning of May 18 in Ban Pa Tueng Ngam, Pa O Don Chai sub-district, Mueng district, Chiang Rai. The homeowner, 44 year old Somphop shared CCTV footage on Facebook seeking assistance from the public to identify the perpetrator. The footage shows a black car arriving at his single-story rented row house around 6am. A man, wearing only white underwear and with a pink towel draped over his right shoulder, exited the vehicle and headed straight for the clothesline outside Somphop’s house. He then proceeded to take eight pairs of underwear before returning to the car and driving away. Reviewing the CCTV footage revealed the bizarre theft. After posting the video on Facebook, Somphop was contacted by the underwear thief, who admitted to the act. The man claimed that he had stolen the underwear as part of a dare from a friend who was with him in the car. Somphop mentioned that he would meet the perpetrator at the Chiang Rai City Police Station tomorrow to discuss the matter further. “I don’t want the stolen items back. I just hope this person won’t repeat such acts elsewhere.”

From NDTV India Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam police on Saturday said it busted a cybercrime racket and arrested three consultancy agents for allegedly luring unemployed youths and sending them to Chinese-operated cybercrime rings in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Despite growing awareness of cybercrime, incidents continue to rise, with many still falling prey to sophisticated scams. To combat this, Visakhapatnam police launched an operation to root out these criminal activities, according to an official release. Their efforts led to the arrest of consultancy agents from the Gajuwaka area, including the main suspect, Chukka Rajesh (33). The illegal racket came to light after Botcha Sankar, an ex-Navy employee, filed a complaint through the 1930 cybercrimes helpline. Sankar's complaint was based on the account of a victim who had managed to escape. Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police, Ravi Shankar Ayyanar, told ANI that they suspected there could be over 5,000 victims from Andhra Pradesh, especially from Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Palasa, Rajamundry, Tuni, Amalapuram, and Anantapur, apart from Kolkata. sup on reaching Cambodia, these youths were locked up as slaves and forced to operate in the cybercrime network. They were denied food and pay until they complied. The agents gave them training before deploying them to commit various online frauds, through which they robbed innocent people of their hard-earned money.

Have not run into escorts who do Pro bono work.

Natural massage (first shop on right as you enter from Silom).

U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand May 18, 2024 Security Alert: Worldwide Caution Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should: Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

From Thai PBS World Move Forward party-list MP, Paramee Waichongcharoen, who identifies as transgender, discusses why Thai politics are still dominated by men and how parliamentarians from the LGBTQ community, including women, are being treated in a male-dominated parliament. Currently, only 19% of Thai MPs are female, while there are only four MPs, including Paramee herself, who openly identify as LGBTQ. Due to the gender imbalance in parliament, many female and LGBTQ MPs still face prejudice, discrimination and even verbal harassment. “The Thai parliament is highly male-dominated, because the patriarchy is so ingrained in Thai society,” she explains. “Most MPs are men. Many of them still hold on to conservative, traditional values, believing that men are superior to others. There are so many MPs with this mindset. Not only LGBTQ+ MPs are harassed or disrespected, even female MPs that I’ve talked to are also disrespected.” Paramee recalled accounts from her fellow MPs, both LGBTQ and women, when they encountered discrimination and harassment from other (male) MPs, both verbally and through inappropriate glares. She has helped them with how to respond and how to “educate” other MPs as to why such behaviour is inappropriate, especially in parliament. “Even if an LGBTQ+ individual looks like a straight woman, looks tall, or looks masculine or whatnot, no one has the right to harass them. I insist that you must never harass them, whether it’s verbal or through inappropriate looks,” she says. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/move-forward-mp-on-being-a-transgender-politician-and-gender-equality-in-thailand/

From Thai PBS World Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently caught the attention of the public when he tasted rice that had been stored for 10 years to prove that it had suffered no degradation in quality and could be sold. Observers see his action as a political ploy to justify the controversial rice-pledging scheme implemented during the Pheu Thai government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The last batch totalling 15,000 tons of Thai Hom Mali rice (premium fragrant rice) has been stored in two warehouses in the northeastern province of Surin. The stock was part of about 18 million tons of white rice amassed by the Yingluck government under the massive rice subsidy scheme over 10 years ago. The Yingluck government initiated the rice-pledging scheme in the harvest season of 2011-12, which aimed to buy every single grain from farmers, promising 15,000 baht per ton of paddy rice at that time, well above the market price of around 10,000 baht per ton. The scheme ended in the harvest season of 2013-14 when the military seized power in May 2014. To finance the scheme, the government borrowed 881.3 billion baht from the state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). At the end of last year, the government had repaid the BACC 296.6 billion baht while outstanding debt amounted to 226.3 billion baht, according to the financial statement of the BAAC. The government also had to spend an additional billion baht for warehouse owners to store the rice. “The government was hoping that by stockpiling rice in warehouses, it could push up global prices as Thailand was one of the leading rice exporters. However, global prices defied the Yingluck government’s expectations,” said Viroj Na Ranong, research director at the Thailand Development Research Institute, an independent think-tank. Not only did the global market price not rise, Thailand’s rice exports also fell during those years. The country lost its status as the world’s top rice exporter in 2012 due to the controversial rice scheme, falling to third place behind India and Vietnam. Thailand exported 6.9 million tons of rice in 2012, behind India’s 9.5 million tons, and Vietnam’s 7.8 million tons, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. The controversial scheme also resulted in a high cost for the taxpayers. “The cost of the rice subsidy scheme during the Yingluck administration was huge, estimated to be about 600 billion baht,” said Somporn Isvilanonda, a senior fellow at the Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand. Allegations of corruption in the implementation of the rice subsidy scheme was cited as one of the justifications for the 2014 military coup. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in 2017 sentenced former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom to 42 years in prison while other senior officials and rice traders involved in corruption also received lengthy prison terms. Yingluck herself was sentenced to five years in prison. She fled the country before the court handed down the verdict. She was convicted for failure to perform her duties in overseeing the scheme that resulted in widespread corruption. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-heavy-price-of-rice-politics-in-thailand/

The King’s Castle group (that’s behind so many of the Patpong businesses) is in process of opening a “hotel inn” in an unoccupied premises on PP1, according to a posted sign.

Visited the shop yesterday and was greeted by Barbie. I told her the guy I was looking to book. She gave me the tablet and although I couldn’t search by number I quickly located his photo. I took a VIP room for 500 for one hour. After a very satisfactory massage, Sky was on the desk downstairs. It appears that both are promoting the shop with separate posts. I found the premises to be clean and well maintained as always. One disappointment: their website went down again 48 hours ago. The reason is unclear (based on my Google Translate conversation). They hope to develop a new one. For the moment, the process of booking in advance is less streamlined unless you can view guy’s name and/or number from published photo arrays. I intend to choose from shop tablet when I arrive for the interim. One Spa Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/OneSpa/100093989228505/

Thanks. I’ve found that that they want you to have a good experience because that leads to repeat business. I trust my instincts and am always looking for the guys who smile and appear at ease. I keep in mind that they, too, want to come away feeling good about themselves.

Four new tops at KK Massage.

From the Thaiger A Thai man’s family and friends in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum accused his boyfriend of killing him and staging a car accident to cover up the murder. Local news Facebook page Esor News 3 reported yesterday that a 25 year old Thai man named Mark mysteriously died on Tuesday, May 14, while returning home from his birthday party at a nightclub in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. According to Esor News 3, Mark’s boyfriend, who was with him at the time, claimed that Mark opened the car door and jumped out while they were playfully teasing each other. He said Mark rolled along the road for about 500 meters and lost consciousness. “Mark opened the car door and jumped off when we were teasing each other. The car was still moving at that time. We did not argue or fight each other before that. It happened in Chaiyaphum. “After falling out of the car, Mark rolled along the road for 500 metres. I parked the car and went to check why he decided to jump out. This is the true story but don’t share it with others, OK? There’s nothing. Don’t worry.” Mark’s friends and family found it suspicious that the boyfriend did not want the story shared. They pointed out that the boyfriend did not seem to be sad about his loss. He did not even cry when recounting the story. Moreover, they questioned how someone could simply jump out of a moving car without a prior issue. The rescue team also found the circumstances of Mark’s death suspicious, as he did not have any bruises, wounds, or scratches despite falling out of the car and rolling on the road. His clothes were also too clean for such an accident. The autopsy revealed that Mark’s skull was fractured, his internal organs were bruised, and he suffered internal bleeding in his head. The media reported that Mark’s boyfriend urged the family to cremate Mark’s body quickly and threatened to sue them for accusing him of murder. Continues with photo https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-man-accused-of-covering-up-boyfriends-murder-in-car-accident

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Newly added to the range of longstay visas comes the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) option for foreign investors in three eastern provinces which include Chonburi. The EEC visa, which allows multiple entries, offers automatic work permit procedures for targeted industries, and a discounted rate of 17 percent income tax for specialists, executives, professionals and (if necessary) dependants. The EEC visa duration is actually linked to the life of the holder’s work permit and is considered an investor type. There is obviously overlap with LTR which, however, is not linked to certain provinces and is much broader covering wealthy retirees, digital nomads with contracts and world travellers as well as executives. The benefits are similar – reduced income tax, avoidance of 90 days reporting and airport perks – but the EEC visa is specifically linked geographically to investment in high-tech industries and sunrise initiatives such as robotics, petrochemical, healthcare, tourism and biotechnology. In recent years, Thailand has diversified its longstay visa regulations to encourage the overseas wealthy to make a base here. These include the Elite visa introduced in 2003, which has had a controversial history, the O/X 10 year visa for retirees from 2016 (not popular because of its bureaucracy) and the Long Term Residence started last year. The new EEC visa also illustrates the growing involvement of government agencies such as the Board of Investment, in addition to the immigration bureau, in the granting of longstay visas.

Had a wonderful skilled massage and afters on Silom Soi 6 last night. The guys are mostly outside shops and very approachsble. You’ll find that a surprising number are conversational in English. Don’t hesitate to chat them up.

Massage shop visit could easily be had for hour or so. The half-dozen shops on Silom Soi 6 guaranteed to have someone who’ll attract your attention. Patpong 2 has five gay bar options.

I believe shop with rent/sale sign is former site of much missed Coffee Grinder.

File under “distance lends enchantment” From Pattaya News Pattaya, Thailand, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, has added a new jewel to its crown of tourist attractions with the grand opening of the Pattaya Sky Ride. This exhilarating new experience offers locals and tourists alike a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of Pattaya from a bird’s eye view on a helicopter. The grand opening event was a spectacle of excitement and anticipation as the Pattaya Helicopter Sky Ride unveiled its state-of-the-art helicopters which promises to offer smooth and scenic flights over the city. With experienced pilots boasting many years of flying experience at the helm, guests are assured of a safe and memorable journey.

From Thai PBS World Anutin claims party was “double-crossed” in parliament over cannabis bill Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that his Bhumjaithai party had fulfilled its election pledge to decriminalise cannabis, but the party was double-crossed when its associated bill passed its first reading in the House, but has been blocked from further progress since. Responding to the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, Anutin insists that the party has scientific proof of the advantages of cannabis for medical and health uses, as he challenged those who are against cannabis to come up with credible information to prove the demerits of the substances. He disclosed that the problem with cannabis is that there is no law to govern its use, adding that the authority to delist cannabis from Category 5, or to relist it, rests with the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board and the Narcotic Control Committee, chaired by the permanent secretary of public health. Although he is no longer in charge of the Ministry of Public Health, the Bhumjaithai party leader said that he is still a member of the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board. In this capacity, he said he will provide scientific information to the board in defence of cannabis adding, however, that the board has the final say on the matter. Asked about existing cannabis retail outlets, of which there are now many, Anutin said that they are currently controlled by a ministerial regulation from the Public Health Ministry.

Being stupid means never having to say you’re sorry.

I’m under 20, tall, handsome and kind. Wanna’ fool around?

From Pattaya News A Russian tourist was arrested on Saturday, May 11th, after going on a reported rampage at a Pattaya hotel. The incident occurred at around 5 PM at an unidentified hotel in Soi 7 near Pattaya Beach. The tourist, who appeared to be intoxicated and in a state of mental distress, had been previously seen snatching a mobile phone from a local. After being captured and having his stolen phone returned to its rightful owner, the tourist suddenly became violent again and ran into the hotel, where he was apparently not a guest. He then barricaded himself inside a bathroom and began shouting and making a scene. Eyewitness Mr. Sitthisak Witthayaampon, 36, told The Pattaya News that the unidentified tourist was around 30-35 years old. Hotel staff called the Pattaya police who arrived and attempted to negotiate with the tourist, but he refused to cooperate. The police then decided to use pepper spray on the tourist, which successfully forced him out of a bathroom. After a brief struggle, authorities were able to take him into custody. The tourist, whose identity has not yet been released, is currently being held in police custody. He is facing charges of disorderly conduct and causing a public nuisance.

From Thai PBS World Find Thai woman's body in Taiwan The remains of a Thai woman, who is believed to have been murdered, was discovered on Friday in a wooded area in the port city of Keelung, on the north-eastern coast of Taiwan. According to a TVBS report, the victim sent a message to her boyfriend from her cell phone, asking him for help. The boyfriend and his friends managed to identify the location from where the message was sent and found the victim’s body in a ravine in a mountainous wooded area. They alerted the local police. Police found a cigarette butt at a public toilet, about 300 metres from the victim’s body. They suspect that the victim and her assailant might have engaged in a heated quarrel before the woman was stabbed several times and pushed into the 10-metre deep ravine. According to the latest Taiwanese media reports, police have already taken a suspect into custody. The victim’s aunt, Duangporn Changlek, told the media in Si That district of Udon Thani yesterday that her niece had obtained a three-month visa and travelled to Taiwan to work in a traditional massage parlour. After the expiry of the visa, she continued to work there illegally because of the good pay, enabling her to send home 4,000-7,000 baht a month for her children. She also said that her niece recently told her by phone that she had secured a new job as a domestic worker, but her employer was tough and barely allowed her to take rest. She added that she had advised her to find a new job. The victim’s mother, Pong-ampai Koptemanee, meanwhile, told the media that she talked with her daughter one day before she received a call from her daughter’s friends, informing her that her daughter had committed suicide. While shocked, she did not believe that her daughter was dead until she learned of it in the media.

From Thai PBS World Faced with modernity, makeshift barber shops along the streets of Vietnam are now dwindling in number. The few that remain, however, still continue to represent the old-world charm that regular habitués have come to love and enjoy. Along the streets in Saigon and Hanoi, many entrepreneurial barbers work day or night under the shade of a tree or an improvised canopy, snipping and shaving, often with little more than a few grooming tools, and a small mirror attached to the wall with a single rusty hook. They continue this trade that has, over the years, become part of a tradition which, by some accounts, dates back to many generations. These sidewalk barbers are not only experts in hair styling but also in entertaining their customers with their sense of humor. A haircut, both for men and women, are very important in Vietnamese culture. “Good grooming for us connotes having a nice and clean set of teeth, and a well-styled and nicely cut hair,” shared one local. Barbers operating in small makeshift salons along the streets of Vietnam are now a common sight where an assortment of daily activities happens – from eating and cooking to child rearing. In this part of the world, having a haircut out in the open is not something to be shy about. “It is part of the local tradition,” said Fritz, a long-time European customer, after having his haircut in one of these roadside salons. “I feel very relaxed, very comfortable. I keep coming back because they are my friends,” he said, referring to the barber and ladies selling foods and drinks nearby. He said that the people are very friendly and accommodating, providing relaxation and familiarity. “And the price is very affordable,” he added. Vietnam’s roadside barbershops, indeed, make up for the lack of the luxury and comfort offered in expensive salons with their friendliness and familiarity. In a spot where a lot of activities are happening, other services are also offered aside from cutting hair, such as nose hair trimming and ear waxing. Food and drinks are also available, along with the lively conversations with some locals and other customers. Continues with photos https://www.thaipbsworld.com/roadside-haircuts-and-other-street-side-treats/