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Stepping into Atlas felt like walking into a new restaurant that used to be your favorite hole-in-the-wall—you’re hopeful, cautiously excited, and also silently bracing for disappointment. This was my first time visiting, and I had questions. So many questions. What did they do to the space? Was that famously awful pillar finally gone? Would this new incarnation finally live up to the slow-burning hype I’d been feeding for the past few months? At first glance, the place felt vaguely familiar. Despite the change in name and a few cosmetic tweaks—mostly in the form of shirtless, oil-slicked musclemen on the walls—it was still recognizably the old Sol / Dreamboys  Bar. The core layout hadn’t shifted much, and I couldn’t decide if that was laziness or just holding onto a blueprint that never quite worked. But fine. I wasn’t there to review their feng shui. I was chasing that elusive Tawan-style magic, hoping to feel that spark that made you grin like an idiot after a couple of overpriced drinks. But then came the first red flag. Or maybe beige flag, since it was more sad than alarming. The place was almost empty. Including myself, there were exactly three customers. One table was occupied by a group of three elderly men, clearly regulars judging by how comfortable they looked. One of them, the oldest, needed help from his companions every time he got up or sat down, and once, be assisted to get him to the toilet. But honestly, I found it touching. If I’m still around and still going out for this kind of whorish fun when I’m his age, I hope I have a pair of devoted partners-in-crime like these two. He wasn’t just getting old,he was doing it in style. The show took its sweet time, only kicking off after eleven like it was waiting for a more enthusiastic crowd that never came. And when it did start, it sort of... flopped in. The guys on stage looked like they were counting down the minutes until they could go home. Zero cheekiness, zero spark. Even the drag performers, usually the reliable saviors of any limp show, were barely going through the motions. At one point, a performer got bent over while another squirted beer from behind him in what I assume was an attempt at humor or eroticism, though it missed both marks and landed somewhere between confusing and mildly unhygienic. But the real gut punch? The lack of connection. Most of the guys there were from Tawan, or at least previously affiliated, but the vibe was nowhere near what Tawan was known for. That casual charm, the way the boys would stroll up, flash a grin, chat you up with zero pressure—it just wasn’t there. Instead, they clustered together in their own little bubble, chattering and giggling while customers sat like forgotten ornaments. And because the space was bigger, that feeling of isolation echoed harder. It was like watching a party from behind soundproof glass. You could see the movement, but none of it reached you. Now to be fair, the new location has promise. It sits in an alley that’s already home to similar venues, meaning curious foot traffic and wandering souls are almost guaranteed. But potential only goes so far when the product still feels like it’s in beta testing. Right now, it reminds me too much of The One bar—empty, awkward, and hoping you’ll stay long enough to convince yourself you’re having a good time. Eventually, out of sheer boredom and the creeping dread that I might actually fall asleep at the bar, I made eye contact with one of the performers. I gave him the look. You know the one. The universal gesture of “save me from this dead air.” He picked up on it immediately and walked over, all smiles. His name was James, and before I could say much of anything, he handed me a business card like we were about to discuss stock options or schedule a team-building workshop. I found it unintentionally charming.   James, it turned out, also worked at Prince Spa. And without missing a beat, he launched into his pitch. He told me he could take care of me that night, said it three different ways, and made it clear that this was a limited-time offer. I eventually gave in. Not because I was sold on the sales pitch, but because he was the only one in the whole building who seemed remotely interested in interacting with me. Back at the hotel, we ordered food through Grab. And this is when I discovered that James wasn’t just talkative—he was relentlessly chatty. Every few minutes, he would pause to thank me for calling him over, then launch into a variation of how he just knew I was a kind person with a good heart. I wasn’t sure if this was part of his client engagement strategy or a deeply awkward personality quirk, but whatever it was, it had me smiling politely while internally trying to distract myself. The silver lining, though, was the massage. He really put in the work, clearly trying to make the whole experience as enjoyable as possible. He was attentive, warm, and cheeky in all the right ways. The extras? Also lovely. The only downside was that even after the deed was done, he couldn’t stop talking. I think I fell asleep somewhere between his third story about his coworker and a detailed breakdown of his favorite noodle dish. In the morning, we had a quiet breakfast together. Or at least, I tried to keep it quiet—James was still on his one-man monologue tour. Before heading out, he mentioned Songkran, saying he wanted to play water with me and insisted I call him. I believe he meant well. He’s genuinely nice, and I don’t think there was any game in his words. But there’s only so much constant talking I can take before my brain starts buffering. I didn’t promise anything. Just gave him a vague smile and said we’ll see. We hugged it out, and I watched him disappear down the hallway. Then I went back to my bed, stretched out, and soaked in the beautiful silence of a Bangkok morning. After the underwhelming night and James’ constant verbal fireworks, the stillness felt sacred. Sometimes, the best thing a city can give you is the space to breathe again.

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — The son of a Thai politician is under fire after he drove a BMW recklessly and rammed into another vehicle. This sparked public outrage and drew comparisons to the infamous 2012 hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, who fled the country to avoid prosecution. However, the national police chief insists that this case will not go the same way. On April 17, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, responded to a viral clip showing a red-painted BMW swerving in front of a pickup truck on the highway near the Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok exit late on April 16. The pickup lost control and crashed into the roadside. The elderly driver, 65, suffered broken ribs and remains in intensive care, while a female passenger, 64, sustained minor injuries. The incident sparked a wave of public criticism after it was revealed that the BMW driver was a local council candidate with close ties to a well-known local politician. Pol. Gen. Kittirat, who had seen the video, condemned the BMW driver’s behavior as “disgusting” and unacceptable in society. Continues with video https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/04/17/police-chief-orders-action-against-politicians-son-in-bmw-crash/  

From The Nation The official Facebook page of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his role as ASEAN Chair, recently posted a video summarising his official visit to Thailand from April 17 to 18. During the visit, he met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The video quickly gained attention—not for its diplomatic content, but for its background music: the Thai song “Om Phra Ma Phut” (“Swear on Buddha’s Name”), a rock ballad famously performed by Sek Loso (Seksan Sukpimai) and Bird Thongchai McIntyre, two of Thailand’s most iconic artists. As of 12 pm on Saturday, April 19, the video was quietly removed from the page, fueling public speculation over the song’s inclusion. Some observers believe the track may have been selected by the Malaysian media team without fully grasping its cultural and linguistic nuances. Others argue that such a misstep in an official communication from a head of government is improbable. The phrase “Om Phra Ma Phut” is commonly used in Thai to emphasise sincerity, akin to saying “I swear to God.” However, in the song’s context, it is used sarcastically, with the narrator expressing deep scepticism toward a partner's repeated lies—even swearing on Buddha’s name is no longer enough to regain trust. The video was later reuploaded, but this time the song “Om Phra Ma Phut” was replaced with “Yarm Yen” (Love at Sundown),” a royal composition by His Majesty King Rama IX. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40048977  

Seek arrest warrants for collapse culprits From Bangkok Post Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will expedite the issuing of arrest warrants for those involved in the collapse of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building once sufficient evidence is found. Ms Paetongtarn on Friday convened a meeting to receive updates on the investigation with national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam among those in attendance. Following the meeting, the prime minister said the Comptroller General's Department (CGD) would be enlisted to inspect construction material standards, as it has the authority to cancel contracts. Ms Paetongtarn said the DSI is investigating possible violations involving substandard steel, poor concrete quality and the lack of steel reinforcement in the lift shaft. Additional concerns include foreign shareholders and bid collusion. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3006216/pm-wants-collapse-culprits-charged

From Bangkok Post Marine police have seized eight unlicensed jet-skis and arrested five operators in Phuket during a crackdown on scam gangs preying on tourists. Visitors to the resort island have long complained about some operators charging unusually high rental fees for jet-skis, police said. The same operators often accused their customers of damaging the units and forced them to pay exorbitant amounts of money for repairs. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Bangkok assigned the Marine Police Division to carry out the crackdown on Friday, said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the CIB commissioner. Marine police arrested four men and one woman for renting out jet-skis without operating licences, in violation of the Navigation in Thai Waters Act, and related offences. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3006402/police-bust-phuket-jet-ski-scammers