The Beer Bar

From PBS A groundbreaking visual investigation in collaboration with The Washington Post featuring a detailed examination of how Hamas was able to breach Israel’s vaunted security barrier on Oct. 7 and carry out its attack. This special collaboration stems from a Post reconstruction, now deepened with additional on-the ground reporting and riveting interviews that present a remarkable picture of how, as the Post reporters show, Hamas was planning the attack in plain sight, and Israel was blinded to its own vulnerabilities. Continue to video https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/failure-at-the-fence/

For those not in country, it's hard to appreciate just how much the on-going effort to rescue the dozen young footballers and their coach has captured the public's hearts and minds. The news today that divers have broken through to the part of the cave known as "Pattaya Beach" and found all 13 alive has been met with massive jubilation and relief. It has to be the one of the three bigggest news events in the past five years. Now comes the tricky task of extricating them that could take as many days--10--as it did to locate them. British cave divers were.first to break through. Thirty US military specialists are also assisting Thai forces in the rescue. Her…

Sometimes I don't know how these people get my number, but businesses, charities, and political candidates who call (especially) or text uninvited definitely get a negative response from me. If a charity calls me uninvited, I tell them that the call results in a 3-month ban on donations, with further calls result in loss of my support, both now and in my will. Political candidates who do likewise will be informed that one more call or text will result in loss of any support I may have previously had for their candidate. Are there really people out there who respond positively to such solicitations? There has to be some reason that people believe that unsolicited calls wil…

From Tourism Authority of Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has predicted that almost a million foreign tourists will visit the kingdom during the Chinese New Year festival, which runs from February 8th to 16th, generating an estimated 28 billion baht in revenues. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the number of foreign arrivals, especially from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, is expected to increase by 29% compared to last year. Arrivals from China during this year’s festival are forecast to increase threefold, to about 150,000, while arrivals from Taiwan and Hong Kong are expected to increase by 137%. Moreover, about two million…

From The Nation The Constitutional Court on Wednesday reinstated Pita Limjaroenrat as Move Forward Party MP after it ruled that iTV Plc had not been a media firm since March 7, 2007. The Office of the Constitutional Court announced that the majority of judges had dismissed the request of the Election Commission to disqualify Pita as an MP under Article 101 of the Constitution for holding shares in a media firm. Eight of the nine judges voted in favour of Pita. Only one judge, Nakarin Mektrairat, voted against Pita. The EC alleged that Pita applied to run in the May 14 genera…

On my first visit to Thailand, I was 38. On my last visit, I am 76. My stamina was reduced, as was my libido, but I still had a great time in Bangkok. It was my first visit to Taipei and I liked it okay, especially the area round their skyscraper Taipei 101. I was shown so much respect. In both places. people volunteered their seats to me- yes, I look old!. It happened many times. And I went to massage parlors where I was treated with great respect and even admiration. Yes, the guys paid attention to my old body, but rather than criticize or avoid, I received admiration for my current shape and accolades for what they could see of my years of body building. I do loo…

From Tourism Authority of Thailand

From Thailand News Agency The Immigration Bureau (IB) has introduced an online reporting system for foreigners staying in Thailand for more than 90 days, marking the first-ever implementation of this service. The initiative, initially targeting investors under the promotion of the Board of Investment (BOI), is expected to stimulate the economy and boost tourism in Thailand. Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with relevant authorities, announced the commencement of the “90 days online notification” service. This allows foreigners to report their residence status when staying in the kingdom for more than…

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Anticipating the legalization of gay marriage later this year, the Thai health department boss is advocating revision of the Surrogacy Act to allow homosexual couples to adopt a baby via a surrogate mother. Director general Atchara Nithiapinyasakul said the move was part of her recommendations to tackle the falling birth rate in Thailand where annual deaths now exceed births. Thailand is facing the prospect of a severe shortage of indigenous employees and intense international competition for more guest workers from neighboring countries. Thailand’s laws are now strict after a slew of scandals in the past where Thai doctors…

From NHK Newsline A Japanese steam train that used to run on the Thai-Burma 'Death Railway' plies the rails in Thailand today thanks to the loving care of Thai mechanics. Continues with video https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20240117203211249/

From Inter Press Service News Agency Tompoun children want to show me the ghost forest, but they are still afraid. Credit: Kris Janssens / IPS RATANAKIRI PROVINCE, Cambodia, Jan 18 2024 (IPS) - “What on earth are you going to do in Tropeang Krohom?” The driver of the minivan turns his head and gives me a puzzled look. Few passengers want to be dropped off in a settlement between two provincial towns. Tropeang Krohom or ‘Red Pond’ is located at a junction of the main road. The name refers to the typical blood-red earth in this province of Ratanakiri. From this point, a motorcyclist will take me to his village. It is a ride of more than two hours, …

From The Nation Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol on Wednesday unveiled seven policies to promote the tourism and sports industry in 2024 to secure the revenue target for tourism set by the government of 3.5 trillion baht, the same amount as was recorded in 2019 before the pandemic. Sudawan said total tourism revenue in 2023 was slightly over 2 trillion baht, missing the target by 380 billion baht. For this y…

Recently, I had a bad moment -- my P.C. AND mobile phone failed at the same time. I felt naked! Now, both are repaired but I am looking for a cheap standby short term notebook or pad. The emphasis is on CHEAP. I don't 'game' or need any special fast speed apps. Just email, these boards and the ability to view videos already downloaded to USB thumbdrives for my lonely bedtimes. I don't need high named products -- only one that works. I don't mind second hand (working) or, dare I say it, fakes. I searched on Facebook and now, of course, I am besieged with ads. for similar. Has anyone here any experience of buying successfully or not? Alibaba (which of co…

https://www.yahoo.com/news/thai-fireworks-factory-blast-kills-021844721.html At least 20 people have been killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand, police said on Wednesday. The explosion was reported at a factory in Suphan Buri, about 120km (74.56 miles) north of Bangkok, at around 3.30pm, according to ThaiPBS. Around seven people were injured in the mishap and taken to a hospital at Chao Phraya Yommarat in the province. “We cannot tell whether all the workers were killed. The officials are entering the site to investigate. They have not found any survivors,” provincial governor Nattapat Suwanprateep told Reuters. The fir…

From MSN Art is in the air at Bangkok’s townsquare for three days, as Colorful Bangkok Expo 2024 is here for all the artsy people of the city. Famous for being fenced off for political protestors, the Lan Khon Mueang Townsquare in front of Bangkok City Hall is about to get a very vibrant makeover for three days: 18-21 January, 2024. In this expo, you’ll get to walk through an art market with more than 90 stalls featuring Bangkok artists and designers. It’s a great way to support local talents as they showcase their works and put up their art up for sale. Colorful Bangkok Expo 2024 is created to transform Lan Khon Mueng Townsquare into more of an …

A reminder to be kind. One member banned for 60 plus days for abusive behavior. No need to attack anyone here.

From Thai PBS World Pol General Roy Inkhapairote, a deputy national police chief, has been appointed the new secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) – the second police general to assume the post. The previous NSC secretary-general, General Supot Malaniyom, retired at the end of September, since when his deputy, Chatchai Bangchuad, has been acting NSC chief. The appointment of Roy, 59, was approved at an NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on January 5 and is expected to be endorsed by the Cabinet on Tuesday (January 16). The NSC’s top job has often been held by an Army general, particularly over the past decad…

NOTE -- Take extra care in entering the given name and family name in correct places. Be extra careful if you are buy a ticket for a traveling companion. From Tourism Authority of Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to advise non-Thai passengers travelling on domestic flights in Thailand that they must adhere to the rules on boarding pass and identity verification process announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), effective from 16 January 2024. CAAT has heightened the rules which require the passenger’s name on the boarding pass to exactly match the pas…

Last time I was in Pattaya I found Grindr the most busy in meeting guys ,both paid & unpaid guys . But just looked at the monthly price per subscription 😱 Has it gone up without me noticing it? I can't really see the benefits apart from no adverts

From Canadian Broadcasting Corporation On the small Thai island of Koh Samui, Niall Harbison sets out every day to feed dozens and dozens of street dogs. Hearing the familiar sound of his moped, "they all come running out, wagging tails and they're delighted," said Harbison, author of Hope: How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life. "They're like, 'Oh there's the little Irishman coming.'" Harbison's book details his efforts to feed, sterilize and rehome some of the 6,000 stray dogs on Koh Samui, a fraction of the estimated 1.6 million stray dogs in Thailand. Videos of the dogs he rescues from abuse and malnourishment have gained him more …

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Pattaya Mail continues to receive so many enquiries about when Thai Revenue will publish a voluminous explanation of who exactly will need to pay tax under its much-publicized enforcement beginning January 1 2024. Of course, we don’t know and maybe the answer is never. But we explore below the issue from the Revenue point of view rather than from the perceptions of potential expat payees whether in panic mode or not. Although most income tax payers are Thais, and always will be, the article examines only the expat perspectives. There’s no hurry is there? Any international cash transfers to Thailand from January 1 are not in…

From Pattaya Mail By Jessataporn Bunnag, attorney at law Expats know, or should know, that making a Thai will is good practice and will ease your passing at any rate for those named as beneficiaries. We still see poorly drawn up wills which, for example, name two independent witnesses as beneficiaries or contain ambiguous wording or even omit the signature of the testator. Of course, the Thai court will acknowledge only a will in the Thai language, though it is common practice these days for an English translation to be included. But it is only the Thai version which can be assessed for probate. Photocopies of originals of relevant documents should be attac…

From The Nation Thailand’s rail transport network saw a 40 per cent increase in use by the public in 2023, the Department of Rail Transport reported on Friday. Commuters from Bangkok’s metropolitan areas were the biggest users, accounting for 94.97% of total, while only 5.03% came from interprovincial trains operated by the State Railway of Thailand. Factors contributing to increased users included expanding rail networks in metropolitan and urban areas, the department said. These networks included the Yellow Line (Lat Phrao-Samrong section), Pink Line (Kae Rai-Minburi section) and Red Line (Taling Chan-Bang S…

From Pattaya News On January 12th, 2024, Asst. Prof. Pimol Srivikorn, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and the president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, publicly revealed after the 1st meeting of the Sport Industry Subcommittee regarding an extension visa for foreigners studying Muay Thai to stay in Thailand from 60 to 90 days. “The meeting concluded that the Thai government would build standards for Muay Thai by instituting training and granting official certificates to be a Muay Thai instructor overseas. It is considered to create value for Muay Thai personnel in Thailand,” said Asst. Prof. Pimol. Furthermore, the Thai government would grant a s…