The Beer Bar

A vocal opponent of Covid-19 vaccine mandates, singer Meat Loaf appears to have succumbed to the disease himself (death certificate hasn't been filed yet). As an obese 74 year-old, you'd think he would have chosen a wiser course, since he fit the profile as a prime risk for the illness. I have zero understanding of why entertainers think they're so much more knowledgeable about vaccine safety and efficacy than public health and medical experts. It's difficult to muster any empathy here. Hopefully his words and actions didn't lead to others losing their lives. https://www.tmz.com/2022/01/21/meat-loaf-dead-dies-singer/ "...Our sources say Meat Loaf has been outspo…

(Photo by Thai PBS News) From Bangkok Post Oil washing up on Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong could be the “nail in the coffin” for hotels and restaurants already brought low by the pandemic, local hospitality business operators said on Saturday. The navy and pollution experts are scrambling to clean up the mess created by the spill that took place in the Gulf of Thailand on Tuesday after at least 60 tonnes of crude leaked from a pipeline about 20 kilometres off the coast. Crews in yellow plastic protective suits fanned out along the beach on Saturday afternoon to start cleaning up the oil slick that began washing ashore late Friday night. Star Petro…

Not Such A "Happy Ending" British man, 70, dies inside 'happy ending' massage parlour in Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya Police arrived at the 'Lovely Massage' shop in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya City to find Robert John Swain, 70, had died at the scene Swain was pronounced dead before his body was moved to the hospital ( Image: ViralPress) A British man has reportedly died inside a “happy ending” massage parlour in a Thai city, after falling asleep and then choking during the procedure. Police say they arrived at the 'Lovely Massage' shop in the Bang Lamung distr…

I'm sure you're as shocked...shocked as I was to learn of this latest development. From The Thaiger Officials unable to extradite Red Bull heir Prosecutors say time is running out to prosecute fugitive Red Bull heir, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, and that they’re unable to extradite him…because they don’t know what address to write down in the extradition warrant. The heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire was charged on 2 counts in the death of a Bangkok police officer killed in a hit-and-run collision with Vorayuth’s Ferrari in 2012. The charge brought onto him for cocaine use is set to expire in September this year. Vorayuth has also been charged with reckle…

From the BBC France has passed a new law criminalising the use of so-called "conversion therapy" to attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people. The measure was passed unanimously by the National Assembly, 142 votes to 0. Anyone convicted under the new law could face fines of up to €30,000 (£25,000) and two years in jail. President Emmanuel Macron praised the move, tweeting that "being oneself is not a crime". The law had already been overwhelmingly backed in the French upper house, the Senate, where it was passed by 305 votes to 28, with the conservative Republ…

Thailand and Saudi Arabia Tuesday agreed to restore full diplomatic relations for the first time in more than three decades with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha expressing regret over a series of “tragic cases” involving a 50-carat blue diamond that had soured ties. The Thai Enquirer attempts to explain the convoluted history of the one of the strangest series of crimes in the nation's history. From Thai Enquirer By Erich Parpart and Cod Satrusayang The visit of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday will mark the first high-level talks, in fact the highest level talks, between the two…

For those who'll be in Bangkok in the next month, you'll have a chance to see the 105-year-old landmark Hua Lamphong railroad station in its final days before service ends Dec. 23. For those not so lucky, you can view a video embedded in the following Bangkok Post article https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2219687/hua-lamphong-will-have-to-close

Aaron Rodgers, for those who don't know him, is the quarterback of the Greenbay Packers (American Football). They were the number 1 seed and expected to make a run to the superbowl. Then they lost their first game in the play offs, which made me chuckle. Aaron Rodgers lied about his vaccination status to the media, then made up some bullshit story about being allergic to the vaccine when he got outed as a vaccine liar. Glad the universe showed him to be the loser that he is.

From Thai PBS World A Briton was killed and his compatriot was seriously injured after a Thai man attacked them with a sickle-shaped long knife in front of a house in Muang district of the western province of Kanchanaburi early Saturday morning. Thai police identified the deceased as 49-year old John Marcus and the survivor as Sean Kewin, 55. Police said that the two Britons were drinking at a table in front of their house, while music playing on a radio, when the assailant attacked them. Both were rushed to the nearest hospital, but Marcus died from a wound to his neck, while Kewin was admitted for emergency treatment. Police…

From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: United Overseas Bank (UOB) said on Friday (Jan 14) that it has agreed to buy Citigroup’s consumer banking businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for about S$4.915 billion. The proposed acquisition includes Citigroup's unsecured and secured lending portfolios, wealth management and retail deposit businesses in the four countries. "The acquisition ... is a great opportunity that comes at the right time. UOB believes in Southeast Asia’s long-term potential and we have been disciplined, selective and patient in seeking the right opportunities to grow," said Mr Wee Ee Cheong, deputy chairman and CEO of UOB. …

Not that he's contagious any more, but to have lied on his visa application and to have promoted a false narrative regarding immunizations, I'm sure glad he received what was coming to him. He's a talented player with a despicable character, in my view... I'm glad he didn't receive some "exception" due to his fame. It would have sent the wrong message.

The labor dilemmas that have have affected some western nations have now beset Thailand. From Bangkok Post Having endured the pandemic for the last two years, Thailand's workforce gradually changed over that period as many unemployed people started to run their own business or work as freelancers. More than a few companies are now lamenting they cannot find staff in time for a recovery. Migrant workers who were laid off moved back to their countries during the peak of the pandemic last year and have not returned to Thailand, partly because of enhanced border-crossing restrictions. Thailand is poised to enter a fifth wave of the pandemic, driven by…

Just watched CNN Special “An American Coup” last night. Jake Tapper interviews almost exclusively Republican politicians who pushed back on Trump’s plan to overturn the 2020 election. Many of those interviewed are leaving politics due to threats of political violence - increasingly violent threats against them and their families. It seems the US is headed for an eventual collapse of democracy & who knows what will follow. Many think this could happen as early as 2025 if Trump somehow comes back to power. The question is has anyone seriously considered leaving the US due to political instability and violence ? If yes, where are the best places for a relativel…

From Pattaya Mail The Thai government is seeking to promote Muay Thai on the global stage as an instrument of soft power, instructing the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the private sector to organize boxing events in the Kingdom to promote Thai culture. Gen ThanwakomThipayachan, president of the World Muay Thai Alliance (WMA) and an advisor to the Minister of Culture, recently met with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss measures to boost the cultural value of Thai boxing at the local, domestic and international levels. Tourism and Sports Minister PhiphatRatchakitprakarn, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister DistatHotrakitya, and Prime Minis…

From South China Morning Post Looks to cut Malacca Strait shipping time by land link between Indian, Pacific Oceans Thailand is looking to construct a land passageway that would connect the Indian and Pacific Oceans, bypassing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The Strait of Malacca, a narrow sea lane along Peninsular Malaysia's southwest coast and extending east past Singapore, is currently the shortest sea route linking the Asia-Pacific region with India and the Middle East. About a quarter of the world’s traded goods pass through it each year. “The Strait has become quite congested,” Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob said. “U…

From Thai Enquirer Thai authorities defend deserted airport terminal in Phetchabun Photo credit: Thailand Infrastructure The Department of Airports responded to social media complaints on Thursday over the new vacant terminal building at Phetchabun Airport, 400 kilometers north of Bangkok. They said the terminal will reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides. Earlier this week, the Facebook page, Thailand Infrastructure, questioned why the government opted to build a new terminal building instead of renovating the existing one. The post drew plenty of netizens’ comments that the terminal is a waste of money. The Phetchabun Airport opened in…

Fist of Legend

From Coconuts Bangkok As if anything were free from scams, travelers to Thailand have been tricked into paying fees for what’s supposed to be a free process. The COVID-19 task force today took a break from its usual doomcasting to note reports of people paying “registration fees” for the Thailand Pass system, which has been suspended since late last month due to the nation’s latest wave of infections. “To reiterate again, there is no registration fee for Thailand Pass,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun said. “There have been reports of people asked illegally to pay registration fees. It is a service rendered free of charge.” When the sys…

Another case of customer being threatened after leaving a bad (6/10) rating. Source

From Bangkok Post The Tourism and Sports Ministry promotion plan for 2022 will be themed "Amazing Thailand New Chapter", introducing new selling points from January and collecting a 300-baht entry fee from foreign tourists from April, government spokesman Thanakorn Boonkongwanchana said on Wednesday. The plan includes promotion of "white routes" for tourists in line with a bio-, circular and green economic development strategy for more sustainable and safe tourism, Mr Thanakorn said. Also under the plan, from the start of the second quarter, April, an "entry fee" of 300 baht would be collected from foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, the spokesman said. …

I received an ad for a service in the mail that really got me laughing! 😄 You can actually pay someone to clean your trash can! I can't imagine who would want to have this done. Just don't let it get dirty again! shinybinsusa.com It looks as though there are people who want this to be done monthly (???), but if you only want it done once, they charge $50 per bin!!! WTF?

I had been posting occasional articles about the situation in Myanmar but despite great resistance from the people and international sanctions, the violence continued unchecked. An ineffectual ASEAN did next to nothing in the way of contributing to a solution. Likewise the UN, stymied by opposition from China and Russia, also seemed to lose interest. However, this account in today's Thai Enquirer screams out to be heard. ---------------------------------------------------- By Caleb Quinley The Myanmar junta has ratcheted up attacks on civilians in Kayah State, (Karenni) in eastern Myanmar, pushing over 100,000 civilians to flee for their lives. The m…

We lost a true star tonight. She will be missed.

I'm sure expats have made provisions for this. However, this article by a Thai lawyer explores the legal realities of a foreigner dying in Thailand. From Pattaya Mail By Jessataporn "Chang" Sriboo Q. What can lawyers do? All countries have their own rules and regulations about notifications to police and embassies, corpse disposal and the follow-up in court if the deceased had any assets in Thailand. A Thai lawyer experienced in these matters can make the whole process less distressing for next of kin or significant third parties. Q. What are the procedures if a foreigner dies here? Typically, the police will quickly be informed. If …