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Pravda is Russian state propaganda agency. Not even Russians believe it.

You conveniently overlook the fact that the largest Vietnamese diaspora worldwide exits in Orange County, California. Population: 2,183,000. Russia has 13,954.

Tell that to children Russian soldiers kidnapped and taken over border by land to be brainwashed. That not some propaganda but widely verified reports from multiple agencies and UN.

From The Nation Looking back at the biggest news in the Thai capital market over the past year, the colossal fraud at Stark Corporation Public Co Ltd undoubtedly stands out, causing alarm among stock market participants. This company once had a valuation as high as 60 billion baht and was even included in the SET100 index, which lists the top 100 largest companies in the Thai stock market. Stark borrowed huge sums of money from banks and bondholders, resulting in damages amounting to tens of billions of baht to the lenders. The grand Stark fraud began when Phelps Dodge, an American electrical wire manufacturer, decided to sell its troubled Thai business. The buyer was Vanarat Tangkaravakun, the eldest heir of the TOA paint empire, for approximately 3 billion baht. However, the deeper aspects of acquiring the electrical wire manufacturing business involved a key aide, Chanin Yensudchai, who masterminded the deal. Chanin, a former executive of Phyathai Hospital, had experience in business acquisitions and assisted Vanarat in strategising the business takeover. Phelps Dodge's Thai operations had been plagued by losses, but surprisingly, in just a few years after Vanarat’s acquisition, the company was in the black. By 2019, Vanarat decided to list Phelps Dodge on the Thai stock market, not through a typical IPO but through a process called reverse takeover, also known as “backdoor listing”. continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/business/trading-investment/40039046

The Dusit chain has seven other properties in Bangkok. https://www.dusit.com/find-a-hotel/thailand/

From Thai Enquirer Three major cases went before the Constitutional Court last week. Of the most anticipated cases — the potential dissolution of the Move Forward Party and ouster of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin — we received word that the court will need more time for deliberation next month. The Constitutional Court did make one major ruling, however, on the legality of the Senate election procedures. The court had received a petition claiming that the law governing how the new Senate is to be elected violated the 2017 constitution. The constitution had mandated that the election process should be as insulated as possible from political influence; the petitioners claimed that the rules did not observe the spirit of the charter. The Constitutional Court’s opinion is that the election procedures are legal. This now opens the way for a new upper house. The current election process for the Senate has never been tried before, and it has been described as perhaps the most complicated method for selecting any body of parliament in the world. It is so byzantine that I will refer you to Dr. Napon Jatusripitak’s excellent explanation for a full explanation rather than attempt to summarize it here. The gist of it, though, is this. Previously, the Senate had been fully appointed, handpicked by members of the previous military government. Now aspiring candidates were asked to apply, and they then went through multiple rounds of selection at the district, provincial, and (soon) the national levels. The candidates vote amongst themselves. It is a system has created perverse incentives for the Senate candidates. Instead of survival of the fittest the rule drafters have instead built an electoral arena more suited for the endurance of the weakest. Why support a stronger candidate if you are a weaker candidate, who will minimize your own chances of getting through? While fame and fortune is not necessarily a benchmark for senatorial capability, it is indeed odd that in the provincial round, many of the most well-known candidates did not make the cut. Former senator Rosana Tositrakul, for example, who once received the most popular votes in a senate election, was voted out. The same went for other famous politicians and media personalities. One unsuccessful candidate, Nuttaa Mahattana, put it well: “When people choose a candidate, they choose based on who they want to do the job. When candidates pick amongst themselves, they will often vote with the goal of taking themselves as deep into the selection process as they can. How would I eliminate other contenders? Who can I trade votes with?” One consequence of the fall of so many “big names” is also the difficulty in predicting how the next Senate will behave. Until we see the final list of candidates who made it through, and examine closely their previous backgrounds, we cannot speak with any certainty on how the next Senate will lean. There is already speculation, however, that former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, a brother in law of Thaksin Shinawatra, is a possible candidate for Senate President. As it stands, he has a good chance of becoming a senator, having won the most votes in Chiang Mai so far. If that scenario is realized, that would indicate that the next Senate is likely to have a very different makeup to the current one. It could be friendlier to the current government, several of whose members were behind the ethics case against Srettha. Gone would be the final vestiges of former deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s decisive influence over the upper house. continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/52454/the-next-senate-will-be-very-different/

Whether they want to or not, especially abducted children.

Few things I enjoy more!

It looks like the building directly facing the MRT station entrance will occupy some, if not all, of the car park. The hotel will face the flyover but with high-tech windows I doubt you’ll notice. Agree about the bar. Went up there once and I was almost alone. it would make a great location for lounge.

The building going up on the site of the old Dusit Thani at Silom and Rama 4 is not the site of the new hotel. That is situated adjacent to it on Rama 4. Took this photo this evening while walking Lumpinee. The architect retained the iconic top structure (bar) and spire. Building to right is part of the development.

From The Nation Preparation is under way for LOVE PRIDE ♥ PARADE 2024, the kingdom’s longest pride parade, scheduled for June 30 in downtown Bangkok to mark the conclusion of Pride Month, which has been celebrating gender diversity and equality of the LGBTQIAN+ communities since June 1. Pride Month this year is extra-special in Thailand now that it has become the first ASEAN country to legalise same-sex marriage. The Senate approved the Equal Marriage Bill during final deliberation on Tuesday (June 18), and the law is expected to be in effect around the end of the year. The LOVE PRIDE ♥ PARADE 2024 project is organised under a collaboration among the government, public agencies and private sector comprising more than 100 corporations and organisations. Held under the concept “Love, Equality, Peace”, the event aims to complement the government’s policy of making Thailand a global pride-festival destination and an entertainment hub of Asia. The policy is part of the government’s Ignite Thailand initiative, which aims to make the country a hub for tourism, medical treatment, food, aviation, logistics, electric vehicles, digital economy and finance by 2030. The Mall Group, one of the organisers of the parade, has said that LOVE PRIDE ♥ PARADE 2024 would be the longest parade in Asia. The parade will start at 4pm on Sunday June 30 at the National Stadium in Pathum Wan district. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over the opening ceremony, the company said. The parade will then proceed along Rama I Road through Pathum Wan Intersection, Siam Square, Ratchaprasong Intersection, Phloen Chit Road, Asoke Intersection, and Sukhumvit Road for a distance of around 6 kilometres, before ending at Benchasiri Park, where a concert will be held from 6.30pm onward.

The Thaiger and ASEAN Now teamed up to publish an informative article about what to do if denied angry at airport or border crossings. It explains a lot of technical jargon and offers work arounds. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/ive-been-denied-entry-to-thailand-now-what

Thank you, Keith. If anyone would know, your friend certainly would. For the time being, my plan is to stay just under 180 days. I feel very much at home here. Wish I had discovered it much sooner but I’ve enjoyed a good run and have no complaints.

I’m sure you’re in a good position to judge, having the experience of witnessing the great quality of Prince Putin.🤣

Yes, but with good pension from His Majesty’s Service.

I’m sure Barry holds you in highest esteem, Moses.

From Thai PBS World The Interior Ministry has been assigned by the Cabinet to amend the Condominium Act, to increase the foreign ownership limit in a development from 49% to 75%, and to amend the Land Act, to allow foreigners to lease land in Thailand for 99 years, up from the current 50. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that there is actually not much change needed to the Land Act, because the existing law already allows foreigners to lease land for 50 years, with an option to extend by a further 50 years. He said the Land Act needs to be amended anyway, to provide assurance to foreign investors that they can utilize land in Thailand for up to 99 years in a single lease contract, making investment secure and worthwhile. Anutin also explained that, although foreigners will be able to buy up to 75% of the units in a condominium development, their voting rights in the management of the development remain unchanged, with the Thais retaining the control. The change in the Condominium Act should mean that more units will be bought by foreigners, as there is currently an oversupply, especially of low and moderately-priced units, said the interior minister, while claiming that Thailand and the Thai people will gain from the two amendments.

From Pattaya News Travel + Leisure, a leading travel and lifestyle magazine, has awarded Thailand the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui was named the Best Island in Asia Pacific, and Samui Airport ranked fourth among the best airports. Additionally, Bangkok was awarded the Best City in Asia Pacific. These recognitions highlight Thailand’s potential in the tourism sector, showcasing its beauty and the convenience offered to travelers. The awards were based on votes from Travel + Leisure readers between January and March 2024. The magazine emphasized Koh Samui’s charm, noting its small bungalows, fishing villages, and stunning natural scenery, which make it one of the most visited destinations in Thailand.

From Pattaya Mail The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced an extension of its free insurance program for international visitors until December 31, 2024. The campaign, which provides cash compensation to foreign tourists in cases of accidents, emergencies, and deaths, was initially set to expire on August 31st after being in effect since January 1st this year. Under the policy terms, each case of death entitles the tourist or their family to a 1 million baht compensation. Incidents resulting in loss of organs or permanent disabilities are covered for 300,000 baht. Medical expenses from accidents are compensated based on actual costs up to a maximum of 500,000 baht. Sermsak Pongpanit, the Tourism and Sports Minister, stated that this extended insurance campaign assists international tourists during emergencies like accidents, crimes, and natural disasters in Thailand. However, the compensation does not apply if the visitors can claim insurance from their travel providers or cases where the hotel, attraction, or tourism operator provides separate insurance coverage.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Thai prime minister’s campaign to introduce a Schengen-style visa program for travel across the region has become stuck in bureaucracy. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos each has different travel regulations which are proving hard to disentangle. For example, Thailand now allows no-cost visa exemptions for tourist traffic from 93 countries, about half the number agreed by Vietnam. Cambodia charges almost all visitors US$30 on arrival or via e-visa application, while troubled Myanmar insists on a pre-purchased visa which can take up to two weeks to issue. Chief executive of VietSense Travel, Nguyen Van Tai, said that the ASEAN block should not rush into a common visa as political and security issues had not yet been resolved. The Cambodian immigration service last week reported there were no plans to lift the US$30 tourist fee. Marisa Sukosol Nunbakdi, a past president of the Thai Hotels Association, said any common visa would need to be 90 days, not 30 or 60, to reach its international potential. Thitian Pongsudhirak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, stressed that standardized immigration procedures throughout the region were very rare. Another ongoing complication arises from bilateral (two-country) agreements. For example, the Russian private lender Tinkoff has now started making Thai baht transfers through the Swift messaging system which may explain to some degree why Russians love Thailand. The Russian bank in fact sends funds to around 30 countries including China and Turkey. But some of Thailand’s regional partners are unlikely to agree to link up with Tinkoff without lengthy discussion. Meanwhile, Schengen-style agreements are doing better elsewhere. The Gulf Cooperation Council – comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – currently requires separate e-visas. But a Grand Tours visa is expected to be available by the end of 2024 and travel companies are expected to launch packages covering several mi-east countries once implemented. A similar common-visa initiative covering five southern African countries, spreading across massive nature reserves, is expected to popularize tourist attractions such as exotic wildlife and spectacular waterfalls. Schengen-style, visa-free travel in practice means seamless travel through the signatory countries without the burden of undue passport inspection. The concept creates a much more welcoming environment for tourists by simplifying the multi-entry process by air, sea and land. Given the hesitancy of ASEAN in agreeing any major policy changes and its history of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of member states, a joint visa plan by Thailand and her neighbors remains a worthy dream under discussion since 2010. ASEAN will sleep on it.

Bkkmfg2648, enjoy yourselves but I hope to read about your adventures only on these pages and not in Thai media. 🙂

….and severely constricted genitalia.

Will that be in the form of cash, check or boys?

You could have one hell of a party in the Dusit Thani Suite.

You grow into them.