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From The Nation Jaturon Phakdeewanit, director general of the Department of Tourism, said a world-class film crew from Hollywood is preparing to shoot the movie "Jurassic World 4" in Thailand. The filming locations will include Krabi and Trang provinces, with a shooting period of about one month, from June 13 to July 16, 2024. Furthermore, the latest report from the Thailand Film Office said the production team of "Jurassic World 4" is also interested in filming in areas of Bangkok, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. It is expected that this project will generate revenue of 650 million baht for Thailand. These funds will be distributed to various sectors in the country, including payment for Thai crew members, equipment rental, accommodation, venue rental, transportation costs, Covid-19 prevention measures, and catering expenses, among others.

If the above link to Phet Boy masseurs doesn’t show complete list, try this one. https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/2024/02/phetboy-spa.html

It indeed may be fun but not exactly satisfying in the biblical sense.😉

Visited Phet Boy shop this afternoon. General observations: Less than a five minute walk from BTS (see above). Found it to be very clean with rooms on second floor (mattress pad on floor). There a generous size shower down the hall with ample hot water. I was presented with bottle of water upon entering and wasn’t asked for payment until I was leaving. Minimum tips range from 800 to 1200 for one hour massage. You choose your masseur from the long list at following link. You’ll recognize many—if not most—from the photos from others shops around Saphan Kwai. https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/ One hour oil is 380. My masseur (from Myanmar) was cheerful and offered what could be best described as full service and I tipped accordingly. Overall impression was positive and I’m fairly sure that I’ll be e returning. The shop is located a few minutes walk from multiple other all-male shops on same side of road, GBeat and 15m among them. K Man is just across the road. Be advised that some photos the shops display can be three or more years old. So occasionally the guy who opens the door may be a bit older and possibly heavier than pictured. This applies to all shops. That’s one big advantage the shops in the Silom area have over the SK shops.

From The Thaiger hai police dismantled a sprawling network that illegally enabled foreigners, predominantly Russians, to secure long-term stays in Thailand through deceptive company setups. This elaborate scheme, orchestrated by a 45 year old Russian woman and her Thai accomplice, has rocked the idyllic province of Phuket. Police revealed that the Russian mastermind arrived in Thailand in 2012 and, alongside a Thai woman, facilitated the registration of over 270 shell companies. These companies were fronts to sidestep Thai laws that limit foreign businessownership to 49%, a rule designed to safeguard local competition. Puttidej Bunkrapue, commander of the police Economic Crime Suppression Division explained that foreigners can operate a business in Thailand, but it must be a joint venture with a Thai partner. Through this illicit service, foreigners were either listed as shareholders or employed by these shell entities, securing them work permits and long-term residency. Authorities suspect the operation has been running since 2016 but noted a surge in clientele following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Chief investigator Krit Woratat confirmed that at least 50 foreigners had been officially charged by yesterday. Phuket, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, has seen a marked influx of Russian tourists and expatriates. From 2019 to early 2024, over 90,000 Russians visited the province, reported Thai PBS World. The number of companies registered under Russian names skyrocketed to over 1,600 from 2023 to early 2024, a dramatic increase compared to the annual average of 30 companies between 2016 and 2022.

The situation bares watching. This statement appeared in today’s Thaiger: ”The new regulation was announced to take effect June 1, but from reports from entry points on June 1 we are told that immigration officers still stamps only 30 days.”

Obviously you rarely—if ever—traveled to Thailand. Even ladyboys refer to themselves as ladyboys. They’ve been accepted as part of Thai society and aren’t subject to the same discrimination that transgenders are in the west.

Only the more pedestrian places 🙂

Good to ser the idea of blaming the victim isn’t lost on you. it’s a time-honored scam that’s Trump’s favorite retort.

Talked with manager outside tonight. He said maybe open next week.

From The Thaiger A treasure chest was unearthed along the banks of the Mekong River in Bokeo Province, Laos, revealing a trove of Buddha statues, gemstones, coloured stones, metal artefacts, and other valuable items. The discovery follows earlier findings of Buddha statues and ancient artefacts in the same area, believed to be the site of an old temple and city from the fabled Suvarnakhomkham Kingdom era. Monk Khattiya Baramee shared images of the excavation, showcasing a large, well-preserved Buddha statue. The statue’s remarkable condition has garnered much admiration. Other numerous valuable items such as glass, diamonds, coloured stones, gemstones, and various metal artefacts were also discovered. The items were part of a chest retrieved from the Mekong River, at the riverside in Ban Ton Phueng, Bokeo Province, Laos, capturing public intrigue. Further details into the treasure reveal that the chest is known as Jai Phra That, a customary practice for people to offer treasures as a form of Buddhist worship, often placing them inside stupas beneath temples. The offerings typically include glass, rings, silver, gold, and various forms of Buddha statues. The page confirmed the authenticity and value of these ancient items. The discovery sparked significant interest among locals and historians alike, shedding light on the rich cultural heritage of the region. The artefacts, particularly the Buddha statues, are considered to be of immense historical and spiritual value. This find not only provides insight into the religious practices of the ancient but also showcases the craftsmanship and artistic achievements of the era.ddd

Amazed me, too. 😄 Love posting “best” lists. No one—myself included—ever agrees with them but it’s fun to read the comments.

just another day in Pattaya…. From Pattaya News A South Korean tourist filed a report to Pattaya police in the early hours of May 30th, claiming he was kicked in the face twice by an exotic animal exhibitor. The tourist lost three teeth after getting kicked. The incident took place at the Runway Market on Pattaya Second Road. The victim, Mr. Munsu Park, a 38-year-old South Korean national, along with his older brother and girlfriend, traveled to the Pattaya Police Station around 2:06 AM to file an assault report against the Thai owner of an exotic animal show. According to Ms. May, the victim’s girlfriend, Mr. Park was visiting Pattaya for the first time. The three of them were walking through the Runway Market and spotted an exotic animal show. Mr. Park stopped to watch and take pictures with his phone. However, the owner of the animal show became upset that the tourist was taking pictures and demanded he stop. An argument ensued, and Mr. Park allegedly tossed the owner a 100 baht banknote, Ms. May said. This enraged the owner even more. The owner threw the money on the ground and reportedly proceeded to kick Mr. Park in the face twice. The tourist fell to the ground, sustaining three broken teeth, two loose teeth, and profuse bleeding. The three of them decided to file a complaint against the exhibitor after the assault. Meanwhile, the owner of the animal show, whose name was not revealed by police, claimed that he was angered by the tourist throwing money at him. He perceived it as disrespectful, especially because money in Thailand contains a portrait of His Royal Majesty The King, which caused him to kick the tourist in a fit of anger. He did not think about the consequences at that moment, but he now felt remorse and would willingly face the legal repercussions through the justice system The incident is under investigation. It is unclear if the suspect offered to compensate for the damages to the Korean tourist.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The extension of visa-free travel to 93 countries, including all those which are major players in tourism to Thailand, means that the overwhelming majority of foreign holidaymakers can obtain 60 days just by turning up. Nationals of those countries still needing a prior visa – for example Haiti, Pakistan, the Central African Republic, El Salvador, North Korea – send few vacationers in any case. The mammoth question for the 93 countries is now extensions and repeat performances. In other words, can these tourists extend their 60 days for another month at local immigration and can they do a border hop to start all over again? Nobody can confirm either possibility and a phone call to 1178, the immigration hotline, brought no clarification. That’s not surprising as the new visa rules for visitors were introduced by the foreign affairs ministry, whilst internal extensions are the responsibility of the immigration bureau, a totally separate and fiercely independent government bureaucracy. The new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), so far, is incomplete. We know is a multiple entry visa, valid for 5 years and aimed largely at remote workers and digital nomads, for a maximum stay of 180 days with an extension of another 180 days. The cost is 10,000 baht (around US$270) per half-year with a security bond of 500,000 baht available. Some social media contributors have stated this visa can be used only twice in five years, 180+180 days as it were, whilst others have declared you can live in Thailand for the entire five years as an alternative to the Elite visa or the annual extension of stay based on retirement. Neither extreme makes any sense. There is very little news in the new policy for existing expats, apart from a temporary reduction in medical insurance required by some (not all) holders of retirement visas and their subsequent extensions of stay. However, there is an intriguing reference in the ministry of foreign affairs’ news release that the number of non-immigrant visas available will be drastically cut. The detail, once again, is guesswork but could include visas and extensions for retirees, foreigners married to Thais, work permit holders and international students being updated. Will the well-known difference between the 800,000 baht requirement for retiree visas and the 400,000 baht for married foreigners survive? Not mentioned in the DTV news release, is the awesome elephant in the room. That’s the requirement, already stated by the Thai Revenue authorities, for all foreign tax residents to register by early next year for possible personal income tax on overseas income. A tax resident spends more than six months in Thailand in the calendar year. If the Thai government is serious about encouraging expat numbers in Thailand, it should issue an unambiguous statement that foreign income or pensions already taxed will in the home country will not be subject to further inquiry in Thailand. The sense of relief would be audible from the Myanmar border to the southern islands beyond Phuket. But don’t hold your breath.

From Time Out magazine / CNN Time Out’s Best Cities for Food 2024 1. Naples, Italy 2. Johannesburg, South Africa 3. Lima, Peru 4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 5. Beijing, China 6. Bangkok, Thailand 7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 8. Mumbai, India 9. Dubai, UAE 10. Portland, USA 11. Liverpool, UK 12. Medellín, Colombia 13. Seville, Spain 14. Porto, Portugal 15. Marrakech, Morocco 16. Lyon, France 17. Sydney, Australia 18. Montreal, Canada 19. Osaka, Japan 20. Copenhagen, Denmark https://edition.cnn.com/travel/time-out-best-food-cities-2024/index.html

Much more compelling question for Trump yet unanswered: Will orange make up artist be permitted to visit felon behind bars?

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Take the Saphan Kwai BTS EXIT 1 stairs and make a U-turn at bottom. walk until you come to first sub soi on right and enter soi.. A short distance past large cinema on your left, look for the shop on your right. The big building on your left is the infamous suck cinema (Phahon Yothin Rama) and at the very end of soi is the 39 Underground Sauna. I recognize some of the boys from photo arrays of other Saphan Kwai shops.

LINE me when you get settled.

I wouldn’t be eager to get discovered by Thai immigration to be using fake ticket. Especially if I was a frequent visitor. Going to Fake Bar ok. 😉

NOTE — I know VN national who worked several years in construction in Taiwan. He was treated well by employor but when eventually detained by police, treated very bad. Was not allowed to shower for ten days pending return home. Spent three days in Hanoi hospital, recuperating. . From Thai PBS World A Taiwanese employer is being held in police custody in Yilan County, in northeast Taiwan, on suspicion that he may have been involved in the death of a Thai illegal migrant worker, reported Taiwan’s Liberty Times. The Thai man went to Taiwan on a tourist visa, but worked illegally in Yilan until Tuesday. The Thai consular office in Taiwan sought local police help after the Thai man’s relatives in Thailand filed complaint with Thai police, reporting that they had been unable to contact him for quite some time. Yilan County police subsequently found the body of the Thai man near a cemetery and summoned the decedent’s Taiwanese employer for questioning. According to the English-language Taiwanese newspaper, the employer, identified only as “Mr. Lin”, initially denied knowing anything about the man’s death, but eventually admitted that he knew that he had died. He claimed that the Thai man was a heavy drinker and fell ill last week, adding that he did not see a doctor, but took over-the-counter medications. On Monday morning, the man’s Thai girlfriend found him lifeless in his room and alerted Lin. Lin claimed that he was afraid of legal action, for employing an undocumented worker, and convinced the girlfriend and two other Thai employees to dispose of the body near a cemetery. Police are attempting to determine the actual cause of death, according to Taiwanese media.

New hotels, the Croom and the Dusit Thani, will soon be entering the Silom market. Visitors have an abundance of offerings in every price range. Thailand remains a bargain compared to northeast Asia and the west.

From Pattaya News In a viral incident that has made international headlines and drove significant speculation and discussion online, a group of independent contracted guards brutally assaulted British tourists after a furious dispute over a bill on the bustling Soi 6 Pattaya over the past weekend. The attack raised serious concerns about safety and tarnished the family friendly image of the popular tourist destination, according to Pattaya Police. The altercation, which began as a dispute over a bill in a bar in which the victims appear to become aggressive and confrontational with bar staff and security, even with one foreign man shoving another customer out of the bar at one point who appeared to be trying to calm the situation down, escalated into physical violence, leaving the victims battered and bruised. The incident was captured on video, sparking outrage and condemnation. In particular, footage of one guard violently kicking a tourist in the head while already lying on the ground having been beaten, caused outrage and made headlines across the globe. The guard claimed the victim attacked him first, breaking his nose on the street, which started the fight. Some speculated that the man was seriously injured, in a coma, or deceased, but none of that was correct as the victim told Pattaya Police today he had managed to walk away mostly uninjured from the incident and return to his hotel. In fact, the man involved said he even went back out drinking the same night on Walking Street. Pol. Col. Navin Teerawit, Chief of the Pattaya City Police Station, has personally spearheaded the investigation. The police quickly detained the perpetrators who subsequently apologized for their actions but Pattaya police had needed testimony from the victims to move forward with legal action and have spent the past several days looking for them and encouraging them online through PR statements to come and meet with police to make formal legal complaints.

From The Thaiger A 58 year old British man was found dead in his condo bathroom in Sattahip, Chon Buri on May 27. Sattahip police responded to a report of a suspected suicide at a luxury condominium behind Bang Saray Market. Upon entering the third-floor room, police discovered the man, identified by police as Michael Devalle, dead in the bathroom. He appeared to have hanged himself using a belt. Police estimated that he might have passed away around 10 hours earlier, with no signs of physical violence observed on his body. The body was transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok for a full autopsy. Police Lieutenant Colonel Pattanann Somnuan, the investigating officer at the Sattahip Police Station, reported that Devalle had been involved in an argument with his Thai girlfriend earlier that day. The girlfriend reportedly left the condominium around 3am.