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Come on now; we're hopeless romantics.

From Benar News Hundreds of thousands of Myanmar workers in Thailand have to remit a part of their wages to their country’s ruling junta or risk losing their jobs under a new rule aimed at collecting foreign exchange and perpetuating army rule. Myanmar’s economy has been in crisis since the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021, facing significant economic challenges as conflict, macroeconomic instability and dislocation constrained production. The kyat currency has plunged from about 1,350 to the dollar before the coup to about 4,500 to the dollar now, fueling inflation. The junta, battling a growing insurgency and widespread opposition to its rule, has responded with various measures including cracking down on gold and rice traders to stop them putting up their prices and on the property sector to prevent people buying condominiums abroad. In another effort to boost foreign reserves, the junta announced late last year that Myanmar nationals living and working in Thailand were required to pay Myanmar income tax, and it also began pressuring migrant workers to send their salaries home. Now it is seeking more. In a directive that came into effect on Aug. 1, the junta said that the estimated 250,000 migrant workers in Thailand under a labor scheme agreed by the two governments must pay a quarter of their salary, or at least 6,000 baht (US$170), through junta-owned banks and agencies, over the three months before they apply to renew paperwork allowing them to stay in Thailand.

From Reuters Thailand's disbanded opposition regroups in new anti-establishment party Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a member of the now disbanded opposition Move Forward Party, looks on before a press conference to announce a new political party in Bangkok, Thailand, August 9, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa © Thomson Reuters By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's disbanded opposition Move Forward unveiled a new political vehicle on Friday that will be the biggest party in parliament, promising to advance reforms and a controversial plan to amend a law that protects the monarchy from criticism. The anti-establishment Move Forward, which won most seats in the last election but was blocked from forming a government, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, which ruled its campaign to reform a law on royal insults risked undermining the constitutional monarchy. All 143 surviving lawmakers have joined the new party under the leadership of 37-year-old Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a former cloud software executive who was involved in the innovative digital campaign strategy that earned Move Forward massive youth and urban support. "We will carry on Move Forward's ideology. The mission for me and the party is to create a government for change in 2027," Natthaphong said, referring to the next election. The dissolution, which was criticised by major western countries, was the latest salvo in a two-decade battle for power that has pit Thailand's conservative establishment and royalist military against political parties with mass appeal. Continues with video https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-s-disbanded-opposition-regroups-in-new-anti-establishment-party/ar-AA1oxeOH

From The Thaiger The Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Thailand, under the leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Hussain Al-Failakawi, is closely monitoring recent events that took place in Pattaya City. Ambassador Al-Failakawi has emphasised the importance of Kuwaiti citizens strictly adhering to the instructions and guidelines issued by the Embassy, as well as the laws and regulations enforced by the Thai authorities. His Excellency stated that the Embassy is actively coordinating with security authorities in Thailand to stay informed about the latest developments and to collaborate on necessary measures to address the situation. The aim is to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to maintain the safety of all individuals. The Ambassador further highlighted the strong cooperation between the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bangkok and the local authorities in Thailand, underscoring the shared commitment to preventing irresponsible actions that could compromise safety. His Excellency also praised the efforts of the Thai security forces in maintaining security and safety for all tourists and residents in the Kingdom of Thailand and their ongoing collaboration with the Embassy.

For those who wish to read the actual news source you quoted, here it is. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/sister-issues-update-in-2-week-thailand-search-for-skegness-man-simon-robinson/ar-AA1ow7zO

Got to see the Men's Speed Wall finals last night and the guy who caught my eye right away, Indonesia's Leonardo Veddriq, grabbed the gold by two hundreds of a second. Don't think he ever stepped smiling from the time he stepped to the platform until after award ceremonies and beyond. Couldn't get enough of him. Silver finisher, China's Wu Peng, was likewise easy on the eyes. I'm hooked on this sport!

+1 But I draw the line if they're just checking their mail. One massage boy's phone on last trip began chirping every few minutes and he actually picks it up each time. When it was over and time to hand over tip, I gave him the minimum and he looked at me quizzically. This was a shop I frequent and the boys know I usually tip well above minimum. I pointed to his phone and he gave me a wai and said, "sorry." Money--or lack of it--is a reliable incentive. Pleased to report that massage boys almost always showered with me after. The smart ones know that this is the final act of intimacy and aware that it can affect their tip (it works with me!). But these guys all have one thing in common: they can towel off and dress in a third of the time it takes me. They use the idle time to gather up the random tissue paper and will usually hold my shit as I struggle to catch up. Many bar boys, on the other hand, seem more committed to the "you come, I go" scenario.

It's not faith that you lack, Riobard It's veracity. 😄

That's the spirit, Riobard. 😃

Na, Riobard, you're the one who fabricates the news with the same misdirection of Trump. You figure if you just keep saying the same trash eventually people will figure it must be true. But please keep trying! 😃

Taking bronze in the Men's 3-meter springboard diving was Osmar Olvera Ibarra of Mexico. Although the two Chinese divers who took gold and silver were all but flawless, the 20-year-old Ibarra wasn't far behind. Hope we see more of him in the future.

That really sounds a lot like the way Trump tries to get away with making up the news. 😃

Attribution, Riobard; attribution. Where is it? If sources exist, why aren't you citing them? Trump must have been your debate coach. 😃

Perhaps he'd entertain a guest appearance invitation. And would nominate Kunlavut as a solid twunk addition to line up (I'd go just to see his legs up close).

From VN Express The Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line in Hanoi is operational from 8 a.m. Thursday, becoming the second running metro line in Vietnam after 15 years in the making. There were not many passengers present at the S8 Station on the opening day. Most of them were elderly people and students. Hoang Minh Tan, 75, from Ba Dinh District, who took a ride on the opening day, said: "The stations and the trains are nice. They feel better than the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line." Cat Linh-Ha Dong in Hanoi was launched in November 2021 as the first metro line in Vietnam. The second line covers a total distance of 12.5 km, featuring eight elevated stations and four underground ones. Only the elevated section of 8.5 km from Nhon to Cau Giay was launched on Thursday, while the underground portion of 4 km from Cau Giay to Hanoi Station is scheduled to complete in 2027. During the initial three months, the metro line will operate daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with trains running every 10 minutes. The schedule may be adjusted based on passenger demand. The metro rides are free during the first 15 days of operation. Then tickets are set at VND8,000 (US$0.32) for a single ride, VND12,000 for a full-line ride, VND24,000 for a day pass, and VND200,000 for a monthly pass. Students receive a discounted monthly pass at VND100,000. Children under six, seniors over 60, people with disabilities, and certain prioritized groups can ride the trains for free. Tickets are circular, resembling coins. Passengers scan these at the gates to enter and place them in scanners to exit the train. Tickets are valid for 20 minutes after purchase, and passengers must "update" them if they do not board the train within this timeframe. The metro line consists of 10 trains, each capable of reaching a maximum speed of 80 kph. Every train has four cars, with each car accommodating up to 236 passengers. A total of 353 employees manage the line's operations.

From Pattaya Mail Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong Ensarn, Superintendent of Pattaya Tourist Police, led a meeting with foreign volunteer officers participating in the Strong Tourist Community (S.T.C.) project on Pattaya Walking Street. The training program included 40 participants from 17 countries: Australia, China, Congo, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The S.T.C. project seeks to enhance the tourism community’s resilience and ensure a safer environment for visitors in Pattaya. The meeting provided updates on the project’s progress, highlighting the essential role of these volunteers in improving tourist safety and community cooperation.

I don't even wear a cheap watch (if you have a mobile, you don't need one, anyway) so I share your conundrum. But no matter where you travel you'll see people of all ages wearing gold chains. In many cultures, gold is associated with wealth and power. Others just seem to like how it looks in their body. But why people choose to display it in locations known for gold-snatching crimes I can only be attribute to ignorance or risky behavior.

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Thai Police officers spent two weeks tracking down and arresting a thief who stole a necklace from an Australian man in downtown Bangkok. On August 7, officers from the Crime Suppression Division of the Central Investigation Bureau arrested Thosaporn, a transgender woman suspected of stealing a gold necklace from Mr. Brock, an Australian national, in the parking lot of Krongthong Mansion on On Nut Road, Suan Luang District, Bangkok. The incident occurred on July 21 at 6:14 AM near the pedestrian bridge in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana District, Bangkok. At that time, Mr. Brock was wearing a gold necklace worth approximately 4,000 Australian dollars or about 97,000 Thai baht. He was walking on the sidewalk from Sukhumvit Soi 11 towards the Asok intersection. At this point, a transgender woman wearing a black dress, with long hair (tied up), flip-flops, and carrying a handbag approached him, pretending to talk. She used her left hand to embrace him from behind and her right hand to grab his neck and unfasten the gold necklace without him noticing. The investigation team discovered that Thosaporn was the perpetrator and was hiding in Krongthong Mansion on On Nut Road. They set up surveillance and arrested her as she was leaving the dormitory. Thosaporn confessed to being the person in the arrest warrant and admitted that this was her first arrest for this crime. She fully confessed to the charges and led the arresting officers to her room to retrieve the gold necklace, which she had not yet sold, to return it to Mr. Brock. The police then took her to Lumphini Police Station to formally charge her.

A benevolent approach indeed. 🙂 Thanks for another good report.

Not necessarily.

I provided the source to both of the news accounts that appeared in Thai media above. We are left to conclude that Riobard made up this yarn:

From Bangkok Post The United States and the European Union on Wednesday issued statements expressing serious concern about the Constitutional Court order dissolving the opposition Move Forward Party and its implications for democracy in Thailand. The US State Department said the decision “jeopardises Thailand’s democratic progress and runs counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong, democratic future”. “The United States does not take a position in support of any political party, but as a close ally and friend with deep and enduring ties, we urge Thailand to take actions to ensure fully inclusive political participation, and to protect democracy and the freedoms of association and expression,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. The European Union called the court ruling “a setback for political pluralism in Thailand”, noting that Move Forward placed first in the 2023 general election with 14 million votes out of 39 million.“No democratic system can function without a plurality of parties and candidates,” said a statement issued by the European External Action Service press team. “Any limitation on the exercise of free association and expression, in particular through the activities and formation of political parties, must be consistent with relevant provisions and principles of international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." The statement added that the EU “stands ready to broaden its engagement with Thailand” under a cooperation deal signed in 2022 that covers issues including “democratic pluralism, fundamental freedoms and human rights”. Amnesty International issued a statement describing the court decision as “untenable” and said it showed that laws in Thailand were being used to intimidate critics. The Asian Forum for Human Rights said it posed “serious risks to democratic principles”.

In other words, you have no source. 😃

In other words you have no source. 😄

You might want to cite your source for above.