The Beer Bar

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow posters. I hope that the spirit of the season brings us to a renewed sense of peace, particularly on the message board where cantankerous is a rising attitude. I am no angel, but I would like to ask everyone to tone down any hostility toward a fellow poster. Merry Christmas @Olddaddy!!!

From The Thaiger The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has issued a public warning about the potential rise in crime related to advanced deepfake AI technology. This technology, capable of swapping faces and mimicking voices, is feared to be the next tool for scammers in the coming year. The warning stemmed from the national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol’s concerns, which were communicated to the public by Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deephor, a deputy spokesman for the RTP, yesterday. The key concern is the misuse of increasingly advanced AI technology, particularly deepfake AI, by criminals looking to deceive unsuspecting victims. Deepfake technology can fabricate videos …

From Coconuts Bangkok What do Bangkokians want? Well, this survey might answer that question, and it’s certainly going to be food for thought for Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The survey, which was carried out by the Traffy Fondue complaints platform, featured 337,208 respondents. It showed that road-related problems were of the highest concern, chosen by more than half of respondents (52.8 percent) Following that were all the usual suspects, namely flooding (10.94 percent), zebra crossing safety (9.10 percent), PM2.5 and toxic pollutants in the air (8.59 percent), working CCTV cameras that cover wider visibility (5.60 percent), lack of green space…

From The Nation Nine Thais rescued near a border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province on Monday claimed they had set fire to a nearby casino on the Cambodian border to escape a call centre gang. The eight men and one woman told rangers and immigration police at Aranyaprathet’s Ban Klong Luek border checkpoint that they lit a fire at the PuLi Casino in Poipet before fleeing back over the border near the checkpoint. Maj Assawin Saothong, commander of a ranger company in charge of the area, said several of the group had severe cuts on their hands, legs and bodies while some had bruises all over their bodies. They were …

From Thai PBS World The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, or The MET, has agreed to return two artefacts, including a bronze statue of Lord Shiva, known as the “Golden Boy”, which were smuggled out of Thailand over 50 years ago. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said on Sunday that a representative of The MET spoke with the director-general of the Fine Arts Department, Phanombut Chantarachot, last Sunday, to hand over a letter from the MET’s director, informing the Thai government of the return of the two ancient sculptures. The “Golden Boy” statue was discovered in Ban Yang, in the Lahan Sai district of Buri Ram, near the Cambodian border, du…

From the Nation 2023 was an eventful year for Suvarnabhumi Airport, the sprawling gateway to Thailand on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Nation looks back on 12 turbulent months at the airport that serves as the gateway to Thailand for most international travellers. But first, a quick introduction to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Suvarnabhumi (“golden land” in Thai), is also known unofficially as Bangkok International Airport. But Thailand’s main international airport is actually located in neighbouring Samut Prakan province, from where it connects with downtown Bangkok via the Airport Rail Link train. …

Echoes of the infamous Red Bull case. From Thai PBS World Court postpones ruling on PAD core members regarding airport seizures in 2008 A Criminal Court has postponed its ruling on former key members of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who are accused of laying siege to Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports in 2008. The Court said the delay is because the four defendants were not present at the hearing today and ordered them to appear on January 17. When public prosecutors filed the lawsuit against the group 15 years ago, there were 32 defendants (including ASTV Co, Ltd), but one has already died. …

From The Nation With most vaccinated people developing none or very mild symptoms when infected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19, many are choosing to stay isolated at home. However, how long should the infected stay isolated to ensure they are free of the virus and can safely interact with others? In a Facebook post on Monday, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said studies show that the virus count starts to drop sharply seven days after the symptoms are first observed. The studies cited have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of…

This popular and commonplace Thai favorite can had anywhere from sidewalk vendors to Foodland to 7-Eleven for a small sum. From Thai PBS World Five Thai dishes, including Pad Krapao, have been listed among the world’s top 100 dishes, according to the TasteAtlas website, and Thai cuisine generally has been ranked 17th best in the world for 2023. Pad Krapao, a flavourful stir-fry dish featuring Thai basil, minced meat and a savoury sauce, holds third place among the world’s best dishes. A popular northern dish, Khao Soi, ranked sixth, followed by Phanaeng curry in the tenth spot, Tom Kha Gai in the 15th, and Massaman curry in the 73rd position. =========…

From Coconuts Bangkok By Nicky Tanskul The MRT Pink Line launched just a few weeks ago, allowing people to commute from Khae Rai all the way to Min Buri. With more stations now available for convenience, and not to mention less traffic jams in places where the stations were constructed, I decided to see what’s worth highlighting if you’re feeling adventurous. This is the second skytrain line to launch this year after the Yellow Line (we also wrote a Yellow Line guide in the wake of its launch, so check that out if you’re still hankering to explore some more of the city). Where? The MRT Pink Line starts from the Nonthaburi Civic Center …

From The Thaiger Thailand, hopeful for a Chinese tourism resurgence post-pandemic, faces an unexpected plot twist as a surge of Taiwanese visitors, in particular, reshapes the narrative. Saichon Chounchou now handles a 20-person group of Taiwanese tourists. “Now my clients are Taiwanese. They are regular clients and generate revenue for many local communities as opposed to many Chinese on a zero-dollar tour.” Zero-dollar tourism, a longstanding bane in Thailand, involves Chinese tour companies steering visitors exclusively to Chinese-run establishments, depriving local businesses of potential earnings. In contrast, Saicho…

In attempt to halt the surge of asylum seekers fleeing from Russia, Finland has closed 4 of the crossings along its 1,340 km border with Russia. Around 300 have arrived this week alone. No doubt part of the reason is those Russians fearing conscription for the illegal war in Ukraine. Finland has claimed that Russia has deliberately targeted these crossings due to Finand recently joining NATO. TASS, the Soviet New Agency, has quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov as saying - "Russia has never in modern history threatened Finland, we had no reason for any confrontation. Now they have chosen this path. From our point of view, this is a big mistake." …

From Coconuts Bangkok A popular market fair is ordered to close down after a fire had completely destroyed over 120 shops. The Huai Khwang district office has ordered the shutdown of the Jodd Fairs market behind Central Plaza Rama IX until renovations are completed when a fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators are still trying to find out the cause of the fire, which destroyed over four blocks of the market. Police believe the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. The Jodds Market fair is a popular tourist night market, home to over 700 shops full of food, drinks, and fashion boutique stores. A second Jodds Fair market opened in…

In my private mailbox this morning was a message forwarded from this site wherein another poster said to me: "You took to me to post bro Don't reply to my posts again ok One warning ok " But when I went to my mailbox here, the message had changed. Now it said: "I feel empathy for you not keeping yourself fit with all the sickness you have Hope you get better in your age , but as you said your 76 the bright side is you won't be suffering for much longer" Now I had suggested that this old fellow might not be right for this board, given his posts. So what should I think now?

From The Nation Five industries experienced significant growth this year, while three others were suffering huge contraction, the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Business Development said on Friday. Department director-general Oramon Sapthaweetham said that the five industries that saw the biggest expansion in the past year were: ▪︎ Tourism (growing 64% year on year), including tour guides, travel agencies, hotels, resorts, spas, and foreign currency exchange ▪︎ Real estate (up 36%), including real estate developers and real estate agents ▪︎ Herbal products (up 33%)…

From Firstpost China is trying to get to Taiwan any which way possible: now, they have allegedly tried to bribe a Taiwan army pilot to steal a US-made Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, but the accused Colonel has been arrested. The deal was worth $15 million. As per reports, the lieutenant colonel surnamed Hsieh, was approached by Chinese officers who asked him to fly a CH-47F Chinook helicopter to a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Taiwan Strait. They offered Hsieh to evacuate his family to Thailand in the event of a cross-strait conflict. Initially, Hsieh declined the offer, but accepted when he was offered half the cost of the helicopter, a whoopin…

NOTE -- If he's serious about wanting tourists to stay longer, it's not rocket science. Granting longer stays on arrival, and making it far less bureaucratic to extend stays, would accomplish that. But trying to persuade visitors who enjoy Bangkok or Pattaya that Hua Hin or other destinations will satishy their tastes doesn't sound like a winning strategy. From The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined a shift in his tourism policy to promote second-tier provinces and boost spending by foreign tourists in a meeting at Government House on Wednesday. The premier told Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijko…

From The Nation The first phase of the Dusit Central Park mega mixed-use property development is set to open in the second half of next year, chief investment officer La-ead Kovavisaruch said on Wednesday. The first phase, she revealed, would see the official opening of Dusit Thani Hotel, while other facilities such as an office, a department store, and ultra-luxurious residences will be ready in 2025-26. She cited recent Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside sales figures as proof. According …

From Thai PBS World Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has instructed its representative in Bangkok to investigate a car accident, in which an injured Taiwanese tourist was allegedly denied medical treatment by a hospital and died while being transferred to another. Taiwan News online reported that the ministry also expressed its concern over the matter to the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei and asked them to convey its request to take the matter seriously to the Thai government. Details of the accident are still unclear, but initial reports state that a person called “Chen” was a victim of a hit-and-run accident on Pattanakarn Road at about 2am on Dece…

From Thai PBS World The Cabinet agreed today to exempt Japanese businessmen making business trips to Thailand, of no longer than 30 days, from requiring a visa. Deputy government spokesman Kharom Phonpornklang said that this visa exemption will come into force on January 1 and last until December 31, 2026. He said that the measure is intended to facilitate travel to Thailand by Japanese businessmen, adding that Japan has advanced technology in green industries, medical science, biology and the digital economy, among other areas, and Thailand wants Japanese investors to explore new business opportunities in Thailand.

So now Russia has gone even further in its actions against the LGBT community. On Thursday a landmark ruling by the country's Supreme Court declared what it terms "the international LGBTQ movement" an extremist movement and banned all its activities in the country. The landmark ruling on Thursday is set to further erode the rights of Russia’s LGBTQ community, who have faced an intensifying crackdown in recent years, as President Vladimir Putin seeks to shore up his image as defender of traditional moral values against the liberal West . . . Under Russian legislation, an organisation designated as extremist faces immediate dissolution, and its leaders face charge…

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As retirement approaches how many of us I wonder have considered a cruise or two to some exotic part of the world? The more so nowadays given that there are several all-gay cruises to pick from - if that idea floats your boat, as it were. Quite a few, I expect, if only the prices were not quite so exorbitant. Some years ago friends of mine based in New York with little experience of Europe saved up for a one-week gay cruise from Barcelona to somewhere else in the Mediterranean and loved it. Others never got the chance to get near their ship. Sadly the Germans who had booked a package tour from their home city to join a cruise due to start from New York all died when …

From The Thaiger The Immigration Bureau (IB) announced that Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s automated channels are now accessible to foreigners to alleviate congestion for outbound travel. This decision, effective from December 15, aligns with the Prime Minister’s directive, enforced by Srettha Thavasin, to enhance the outbound immigration system. The move is aimed at reducing the density of passengers who need to rush to catch their flights, echoing the government’s tourism promotion policy. Today, Lieutenant Police General Itthiphon Itthisanronnachai, Chief of the Immigration Bureau, divulged that the IB has developed an automated channel or an autom…

Thinking seriously about retiring SOON to TH. Having a tough time figuring out what I should do before I leave about filing the next years taxes. W-2 forms need to be mailed to me for filing. Change of address filing at the local USA post office before I leave? Won't have a address until after I arrive and get situated there... How much could I trust the Thai postal to forward mail? Guess there should be a way to electronically get a W-2 from Social Security and attach to documents for electronic filing. Do you have an accountant there in Thailand?