The Beer Bar

Yesterday, at an afternoon luncheon Christmas Eve party, I was (re-)introduced to three people, to whom I'd apparently been previously introduced at a 4th of July pool party I'd thrown either earlier this year or the year before. At the 4th of July party, they had come with our mutual friend, who'd brought them as +1,2,3's. Not remembering them, I introduced myself, and the first one said, semi-haughtily, "Well, I remember you, but you obviously don't remember me." Well, I thought it was fairly unexpected that I didn't remember him, considering the 4th of July party had some 100 people in attendance, I'd been drinking, and none of the three were people I'd specifically in…

From The Nation Pornphrom Vikitsreth, adviser to the Bangkok governor and chief sustainability officer of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on December 18 witnessed the testing of a new garbage collection boat at Prem Prachakon Canal in Chatuchak district. Precious Shipping Pcl started working on upgrading the boat’s performance since November 19 to further reduce human labour as well as add the oxygenation function while the boat is in operation. The Phithak Thara (protect the water) is 5.65 metres long, 3.5 metres wide and can operate at least 80 centimetres deep. It is made from high-density polyethylene that is durable against s…

From Pattaya Mail EDITORIAL For many expats – and retirees in particular – the festivities this year are marred by ongoing concerns about personal income tax arising from cash transfers to Thailand. The notion that the Thai Revenue Department intends to hand down the stone tablets, Moses style, to deal with thousands of individual queries is naïve to say the least. TRD has published the policy and it’s up to you to interpret it in the light of your own finances – provided you clock up in Thailand 180 days or more in a calendar year. It is irrelevant how many times, if any, you entered the country during the 12 months. Some things are clear. There has not be…

From Bangkok Post The Prime Minister's Office has announced a new regulation allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages every day at major international airports. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on Christmas Day and took effect on Thursday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2928001/airports-ease-booze-rules

From Bloomberg News Airline rewards programs were once fairly straightforward. Carriers doled out perks like lounge access, cabin upgrades and even free flights to tighten bonds with customers who collected points from their journeys. Frequent flyers enjoyed the elevated status that came with sticking to one airline, while savvy users could scour awards charts to find deals that made bucket-list trips to Europe or Hawaii more affordable. These days, it’s not so simple. Programs designed to encourage loyalty have gradually morphed into complex financial ecosystems – especially in the US, where airlines collect billions of dollars in revenue per year from them. Ma…

From Pattaya News On December 24th, 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced that the Thai Cabinet had approved an extension of the reduced excise tax rate for entertainment venues, lowering it from 10% to 5% of revenue for another year. The measure, set to take effect from January 1st to December 31st, 2025, is designed to support Thailand’s economic recovery and bolster its tourism sector. This tax cut aligns with the government’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025” initiative, aimed at increasing tourism activity, distributing income to local communities, and attracting more international visitors. Affected businesses include ni…

Have you guys seen photos of the suspect in the killing of the UHC insurance company CEO. Luigi Mangione? Jesus Fukin' Christ! What a 10!

From The Thaiger A flight to Thailand turned into a scene of mid-air mayhem, sparking outrage online after a viral video showcased the unruly behaviour of Indian passengers. Shared by Ankit Kumar, a content creator aboard the Thai AirAsia flight, the footage reveals groups of Indian men standing in the aisle, chatting loudly, snacking, and blatantly ignoring air hostesses’ repeated requests to return to their seats. Social media erupted after the video, captioned with the sentiment that such antics “bring a bad name to the country,” amassed over 29,000 likes and millions of views. Many users expressed embarrassment over their compatriots’ conduct. “Mon…

From Pattaya Mail The plans to build a highspeed rail link from Bangkok airports to U-tapao airport near Rayong has hit yet another snag. The international consortium Asia Era One, spearheaded by the Charoen Pokphand Group, is now facing the need to build a costly tunnel south of Pattaya to link with U-tapao as there is insufficient available land above ground to complete the job. According to the South China Morning Post, executives are balking at the expense with the final amount still being costed. The prospect of a tunnel over part of the proposed route has not hitherto been announced, although the whole scheme has suffered non-stop issues since its inceptio…

From The Nation The Interior Ministry has instructed provincial governors nationwide to step up security for tourists from criminals, influential persons and unlawful tourism businesses that may take advantage of them. A source at the ministry said that Industry permanent secretary Ansit Samphantharat had sent an urgent circular to provincial governors nationwide on Friday (December 20), ordering them to step up security for tourists in their provinces. The order cited the resolution of the national tourism board on November 26 that ordered the Interior and Tourism and Sports ministries and the Royal Thai Police to integrate efforts and measures to…

From The Thaiger Leading super-app Grab released its year-end statistics for on-demand transport and delivery services in Thailand, revealing significant growth and trends in 2024. The company reported an impressive increase in its ride-hailing and delivery services, driven by both local and international demand. Grab’s ride-hailing services have remained a favourite among users, with the GrabCar Saver option experiencing a remarkable growth of over 400% in major cities. The Moo Deng phenomenon contributed to a surge in ride-hailing trips, particularly to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which saw a 267% increase in visitors, largely driven by foreign tourists. “Our co…

From Bangkok Post The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps) has set up a panel to investigate the alleged sexual harassment of 18 cadets by the school's physical therapist, with the initial result expected in seven days. Maj Gen Withai Laithomya, spokesman of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) Headquarters, said yesterday that the probe was ordered immediately after the news surfaced online on Thursday. According to him, 18 cadets aged 16-18, claimed that a lieutenant officer, the school's physical therapist, had sexually abused them from October to November. All said they were touched inappropriately, while one said he was sexually molest…

From Khaosod English One of six Chinese scam suspects is arrested in his room at a luxury condominium in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, on Dec. 20, 2024. BANGKOK — Thai immigration authorities have arrested six Chinese nationals, including the alleged ringleader, who were operating a sophisticated scam network from multiple units in a luxury condominium on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. Led by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Center, the raid uncovered an extensive operation spanning three floors of the upscale residential comple…

From Pattaya News Now for our latest in our popular legal corner series from our partners at Anglo Siam Legal, in which they discuss what costly mistake you don’t want to make when starting a business in Thailand!

From The BBC The Malaysian government says it has agreed in principle to resume the search for a passenger jet that vanished 10 years ago in one of aviation's greatest mysteries. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014 while on its way to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board. Efforts to locate the wreckage of the Boeing 777 have sputtered over the years and hundreds of families of those on board remain haunted by the tragedy. On Friday, Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet approved in principle a $70m (£56m) deal with US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity to find the aircraft. …

From Pattaya News On December 17th, 2024, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and key officials held a meeting to address traffic congestion, drug issues, begging, and other social problems to improve order in the city. The meeting focused on six key issues: traffic law enforcement, drug abuse and illegal items like e-cigarettes and sex toys, tackling illegal vendors and beggars, scams targeting tourists around the Grand Palace, the impact of illegal Chinese businesses in areas like Huai Khwang, and land use regulations in districts such as Phaya Thai. Governor Chadchart announced the first model zone will begin along Sukhumvit Road, from Ploenchit Expressw…

https://news.sky.com/story/igor-kirillov-russian-general-in-charge-of-nuclear-troops-killed-by-blast-in-moscow-13275251 "A senior Russian general in charge of nuclear protection forces has been killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter, Russia's investigative committee says. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who is in charge of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical [weapons], died in the street outside a block of flats about four miles (7km) southeast of the Kremlin... Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow next to the wrecked entrance to a building....". (Warning: Vinapu, since you won't look a…

From ESPN / MSN Suphanat Mueanta has always been destined for big things -- from the time he became the youngest player to both debut and then score in Thai League 1 at the age of 15. A year later, in 2019, he would set a similar record on the continental stage - becoming the AFC Champions League's youngest scorer at just 16 years and eight months. Many a prodigious talent has however failed in living up to their full potential. That will not be the case with Suphanat. Still only 22, the fleet-footed attacker recently returned to Buriram United after a loan stint in Europe with OH Leuven. The fact that he did not make a real breakthrough mig…

From Pattaya Mail The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) launched the “Cut the Rabbit: Crackdown on Sex Creators” operation, arresting seven individuals, including foreigners and Thai nationals, for creating explicit content and distributing it online, December 9. Following a directive from the National Police Chief to intensify the fight against transnational crime, CIB’s Human Trafficking Division tracked online platforms and uncovered a network using Thailand as a base to produce and distribute pornography worldwide. The police obtained court warrants and raided several locations, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects. The first suspect, Benjam…

NOTE -- A rate cut should translate to a lower baht From Reuters / Bangkok Post Interest rates in Thailand should be cut quickly and sharply to help lift the economy out of “disaster”, says Kittiratt Na Ranong, who is widely expected to be named chairman of the board of the central bank. A Pheu Thai Party loyalist and former finance minister and stock exchange president, Mr Kittiratt told a seminar on Thursday that interest rates were too high and all sides must work together to address that. “It’s the way to prevent disaster. Today, I still believe that,” he said in reiterating a call he first made last year for fast and sharp cuts in interest rates t…

From Pattaya Mail The initial success of DTV has been truly amazing with over 50,000 issued in just five months by Thai embassies and consulates abroad. As ever, they are fiercely independent and have their own documentary requirements within a broad framework established nationally. We all have to accept that reality like it or not. The whole subject is far too wide to address in detail here, so I propose we take a broad look at some of the pluses and minuses of this unprecedented innovation. DTV was announced primarily to address the needs of digital nomads or remote workers whose total global number is around 35 million. It cannot be a coincidence that other …

From Patttaya Mail In response to the growing concerns among expatriates, the Thai Revenue Department has issued Orders No. P. 161 and 162/2566, effective from January 2024, to provide clear guidelines on the taxation of foreign-sourced income. Here’s a detailed look at what these new regulations entail and how they impact residents and expatriates in Thailand. Key Provisions of Order No. P. 161/2566, Foreign Income Reporting Starting January 1, 2024, all residents in Thailand must report income from abroad when it is brought into the country. This includes income from work, investments, and assets located outside Thailand. However, any income earned bef…

From Pattaya News Thailand is actively considering amendments to its alcohol control laws for the upcoming year. The Thai Ministry of Public Health has announced that the Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill is set to be submitted to parliament in January 2025. This bill aims to align Thailand’s alcohol regulations with global norms but with a strong focus on public health and safety. Key points of the proposed changes include: Sales Hours: There is a clear intention not to allow 24-hour alcohol sales. Instead, specific regulations will determine the allowable hours for sales, potentially adjusting the current restriction on afternoon sales between 2pm…

Please note final paragraph. ==================== From Bangkok Post Intending visitors to Thailand will be able to apply online for an e-visa at Thai embassies and consulates worldwide from Jan 1. Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said that from Jan 1, 2025, the Thai e-visa system would be operative at all 94 Thai embassies and consulates. Worawoot Pongprapapant, director-general of consular affairs, said travellers will no longer have to queue up and file many documents at embassies. Travellers could conveniently and safely apply for visas at www.thaievisa.go.th anywhere and anytime and pay visa fees online via Kasikornbank. However…

From Bangkok Post ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the Chao Phraya River, continues its tradition of world-class celebrations with the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025. This year’s event, the fifth, promises to be a global phenomenon featuring eco-friendly fireworks spanning 1,400 metres and visible from up to 5 kilometres along both banks of the river. The dazzling display, crafted with environmentally conscious techniques, is a collaboration between award-winning Japanese fireworks designers and Thai creative teams. Presented under the theme “Celebrating the Everlasting Legacy of Siam,” the fireworks unfold in six acts, each telling a story of Thailand’s …