The Beer Bar

From CNN “The last time I hugged him was June 20, the day the verdict was pronounced,” she recounted in a phone interview with CNN. “He hugged me, cried, and then the guards immediately came up and took him away.” In August, a year after he was first questioned, Arseny marked his 16th birthday behind bars. “Please, I’m asking you to do everything you can to make sure I get released,” Arseny begged his mom in a letter written ahead of an appeal hearing last month and shared with CNN. He had lost 15 kilograms (33 pounds) due to a stress-induced lack of appetite and had been moved to a different cell after episodes of violence from fellow inmates, he sa…

We're finishing a week in Puerto Vallarta, and while we were here, we ran into some casual acquaintances from a colder city in the US. They are fairly well-off financially. Since we've both been here many times (a dozen for my hubbie, and over 2 dozen times for me), we told them of one of our favorite restaurants, where we had dinner, the River Cafe. I was a bit embarrassed (but said nothing) to seem them in tank-tops (one is in his 30s, the other in his 50s). They enjoyed it, and my husband said that maybe the next day we could go to my personal favorite restaurant, Cafe des Artistes. They agreed. I then said that they have a smart casual dress code--the shirt should hav…

From Bangkok Post Police have arrested a 33-year-old Chinese man with a sexual fetish for the alleged rape, which he also videoed, of an 18-year-old university student in Bangkok. The young victim told police she met the man, identified as Su Xing Rui, on the 6th floor of the MBK centre in Pathum Wan district on the evening of Nov 19. The man acted like a tourist, talking to her in Chinese, a language she was learning, and invited her back to a hotel on Petchaburi road. The young woman alleged he held her there against her will and forced her to participate in making a sex video with him, police said. She went home devastated. The suspect later texted …

From Pattaya News The government has launched an ambitious strategy to enhance its tourism sector, with measures targeting both international and domestic travelers. The sector, which generated 1.892 trillion baht in 2023, is expected to play a crucial role in driving economic recovery and growth, with plans to boost tourism revenue to 3.4 trillion baht in 2025 and attract over 40 million international visitors. The “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025” campaign, introduced in October, is foundational to these efforts. Collaborating with major corporations such as Grab, Agoda, Expedia, and Thai Airways, the campaign promotes Thai culture, lesser-known d…

It seems that we’ll never see the end to this because the school involved appear helpless to intervene in effective manner. ======== From The Thaigee A young engineering student was fatally stabbed by a gang of youths on motorcycles in Bangkok yesterday. The incident took place near the entrance of Soi Phetkasem 55/2 in Bang Khae, leaving a 19 year old dead and his friend narrowly escaping harm. Police Lieutenant Yanapol Phonyiem received reports of the fatal stabbing, with officers, forensic specialists, and a medical team from Siriraj Hospital promptly arriving at the scene. A body identified as 19 year old Ratthapoom, was found lying in a pool…

From Pattays Mail On December 6th, 2024, Mr. Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, the Thai Restaurant Business Association Chairman, raised concerns about the government’s proposal to increase the VAT rate from 7% to 15%. He warned that the move could devastate the restaurant industry, which has already seen over 50% of businesses shut down since early 2024. The VAT hike would disproportionately impact restaurants, as they must pay VAT on food sales but cannot deduct VAT on raw materials like fresh produce. This unique burden forces businesses to choose between shutting down or raising prices. Sorathep estimated that food prices could surge by 20-25% …

From CNBC A federal appeals court on Friday cited national security concerns as it upheld a law requiring China-based ByteDance to sell the popular social media app TikTok next month or face an effective ban in the United States. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., rejected TikTok’s argument that the law is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment rights of the 170 million Americans who use the app. TikTok said later Friday that it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the appeals court decision. If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok by Jan. 19, the law would require app store compani…

From The Nation Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet Air is launching a recruitment campaign for cadet pilots in collaboration with Bangkok Aviation Center Plc (BAC), offering a comprehensive training programme to develop qualified professional commercial airline pilots. Twenty Thai pilots will be selected for training and working with the airline and applications for the first batch of cadet pilots will open in February next year, Thai Vietjet CEO Woranate Laprabang said on Friday. The programme will be expanded to accept 40 cadets by the second quarter of 2025, he said. Under the programme, BAC will be responsible for the training of Commercial Pilot …

From The Thaiger A historic moment unfolded in Chiang Rai as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thai citizenship cards to 72 individuals from ethnic minority groups, marking a monumental step towards addressing statelessnessin the country. The ceremony, held at the GMS International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 1, highlighted Thailand’s commitment to inclusivity and human rights, with key officials and representatives from international organisations, including the UNHCR, UNICEF, and IOM, in attendance. The event kicked off with a cultural performance celebrating Chiang Rai’s ethnic diversity before the 38 ye…

From The Thaiger Thailand’s notorious “rental wife” trend is turning heads and sparking heated debates. Dubbed the “black pearl” phenomenon, this controversial practice is thriving in Pattaya’s red-light districts, offering foreign tourists a temporary taste of companionship for a fee. The practice, often called “temporary marriage,” sees women from impoverished rural areas become companions to tourists, offering services ranging from casual companionship to acting as tour guides. Contracts last anywhere from a few days to several months, with fees varying based on the woman’s looks, age, and education—ranging from US$1,600 to an eye-watering US$116,000. …

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya City Expat Club’s newsletter has now introduced a tax-related webpage to address the financial concerns of members and the wider expat community who clock up in Thailand at least 180 days in 2024. The calendar-year reporting period of potentially taxable income transmitted from overseas will be the first three months of 2025. PCEC stresses that it is not qualified to answer the specific tax liabilities of individuals. The webpage stresses what we don’t yet know for sure. For example, the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) has ignored the issue of expats who have not actually sent any cash from abroad in 2024, or who believe their transmitted…

Lawson’s has opened Lawson 108 store on Silom, roughly opposite Soi 6. It’s similar to a 7-Eleven but differs in several ways. It’s much more oriented to prepared meals and snacks. It also has much expanded liquor and wine offerings along with beer and soft drinks. There a dozen seats available at eat-in bar.

From Pattaya News Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has escalated its travel advisory for Thailand, urging Israeli citizens residing or traveling in the Southeast Asian nation to exercise heightened caution due to an elevated risk of attacks. This warning comes on the heels of recent intelligence suggesting that those responsible for the murder of a Chabad emissary in Dubai are now planning attacks targeting Israelis in Thailand. The NSC has explicitly advised Israelis to avoid places associated with Jewish or Israeli identity, including Jewish centers, synagogues, and known gathering spots for Israelis. They recommend not displaying any symbol…

Do any of you get bombarded by texts on holidays and on your birthday? These often come from longstanding but not frequently communicative friends, and often at times (evening) when one might be expected to be entertaining family or close friends. I understand the birthday texts more than the holiday ones, which I'd hope would at least come earlier in the day. I feel obligated to provide at least a brief response, but I would really prefer they send e-mails (or a holiday/birthday card).

From Bangkok Post Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has ordered work on a city motorway to be suspended for two weeks after Friday's crane collapse on Rama II Road which resulted in six deaths and nine injuries. The incident took place on the outbound traffic lanes of the elevated Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway 82 (M82) site in Khok Krabue sub-district of Muang district of Samut Sakhon at 4.13am. A launching gantry crane collapsed and precast concrete segments caved in, according to initial findings. At the time of the collapse, 39 staff were working at the site with a foreman reporting that many workers fell along with the concrete…

From Pattaya Mail Thailand is poised to regain its Category 1 status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by February 2025, following extensive safety improvements and regulatory adjustments. This upgrade will enable Thai airlines to resume direct flights to the United States after a nine-year hiatus. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) had successfully addressed the safety concerns that led to the downgrade of Thailand’s aviation status from Category 1 to Category 2 in 2015. The FAA conducted a thorough inspection of Thailand’s aviation safety sta…

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Unofficial government adviser Thaksin Shinawatra this week reaffirmed his desire to see a new comfort zone for foreign property buyers and long lease holders. He thus joins real estate dealers and potential investors in urging the necessary legal reforms to permit up to 75 percent of condominium units to be foreign owned and to extend maximum leases on various types of property from 30 (normally) to 90 years. At the moment, not more than 49 percent of condo units can be in foreign ownership to ensure Thais retain majority control, whilst most land leases (eg on villas) are a maximum of 30 years to avoid any sugges…

From the.Nation Thai Airways on Tuesday announced an ambitious business strategy aimed at expanding its market share to 35% by 2029. The announcement by CEO Chai Eamsiri at a press conference on Tuesday follows the airline's recent progress in its rehabilitation plan and ongoing capital restructuring efforts, coinciding with the pricing of newly issued ordinary shares. Highlighting the global aviation industry's projected growth, Chai emphasised the opportune moment for Thai Airways to enhance its operations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts the aviation market will reach $US 996 billion by the year-end and more than doubl…

From the Thaiger Bangkok’s skyline has a new star, and it’s shimmering with royal splendour. The stunning Rama X Bridge, now fully completed across the Chao Phraya River, is set to officially open in a grand ceremony presided over by none other than His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on December 14. Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed that the bridge, officially known as “Saphan Thotsamarachan,” will be ready to welcome traffic by the end of December, or at the very latest, early January. The cable-stayed marvel is a crucial part of an 18.7-kilometre elevated highway,…

From Pattaya News On November 26th, 2024, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed factors supporting Thai tourism growth in late 2024. Flight recovery and increased forward bookings signal strong momentum, with ticket reservations to Thailand rising 28% compared to last year. Key source markets include Germany, South Korea, the UK, the U.S., Japan, and Russia. TAT predicts a peak of 500,000 foreign visitors per day during the final three days of 2024, fueled by nationwide countdown celebrations and relaxed entry measures. These include visa-free entry for tourists, business travelers, and shor…

From Pattaya Mail A market strategist at Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS, Poon Panichphiboon, revealed on November 26 that the Thai baht opened this morning at 34.74 baht per U.S. dollar, weakening from the previous day’s close of 34.61 baht. The projected trading range for today is expected to be between 34.60-34.85 baht per dollar. Since last night, the baht (USDTHB) has shown slight depreciation, moving in a sideways-up pattern within a range of 34.47-34.75 baht per dollar. This is despite the overall weakening of the U.S. dollar, influenced by a risk-on sentiment in the U.S. financial markets and a decline in the U.S. 10-year bond yield. The market has reacted to n…

From Bangkok Post A 12-year-old boy received public praise for rescuing a 17-year-old girl who jumped into the Chao Phraya River from a Bangkok bridge on Friday night. The incident occurred at 7.13pm in Bang Kho Laem district of the capital. The boy, identified as Thanapat Bunkerd or Klao, told media he and his friends were fishing on the bridge and noticed his line had become entangled with something below. He climbed down to fix it and suddenly heard a loud splash. He then saw a girl, identified only as Natthamon, crying for help. Among the other boys, Klao was the only one who could swim, so he decided to jump in and rescue her. Klao swam quite…

Unless I missed something, I don’t see any mention how this status will be influenced by 180+ days tax proposal that is yet to be fully flushed out. ———— From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The government-owned Thai Privilege Card Company (TPC) is offering a new five-year visa for a non-refundable 650,000 baht or US$19,000. To be known as Elite Bronze, the cost is a good deal lower than the previous Elite Gold five-year permit for 900,000 baht or US$26,000. In return, Bronze has fewer perks than Gold although fast track at major Thai airports is still offered and there’s a helpline in English, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese as well as shopping discounts. By…

Well the trek to Suvarnabhumi was long thanks to a traffic jam on the freeway but I made it ok, booked a car through the hotel for 800 baht. Although the airport is packed to the rafters (I've never seen it this busy before) it didn't take long to get through to the lounge, flying business class the check in, security and immigration was all fast tracked and less than 15 minutes all up. Surprised to see a long line of people outside the entrance and was wondering what the hell was happening and then it hit, they are all the smokers getting a last one in. Now to hope and plan for a more relaxed and enjoyable trip next year, not a lot to report on this trip but will check m…