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From The Thaiger A bombshell announcement rocks the media landscape as Voice TV, the longstanding bastion of pro-Thaksin views, announces it is shutting down. The board of Voice TV declared the end of its 15-year run, leaving some 100 journalists and staff members facing the axe. The abrupt closure has left tongues wagging, with no immediate rationale provided for the drastic move. Established back in 2008, Voice TV initially made waves as a niche satellite channel before expanding its reach to digital terrestrial platforms in 2014. However, in a twist of fate in 2019, the channel relinquished its digital TV presence amidst financial turmoil, reverting to satellite broadcasts and online streams via Facebook and YouTube. Renowned for its unwavering pro-Thaksin stance, Voice TV’s pundits have often rallied behind the Shinawatra family, raising eyebrows and courting controversy. Notably, the channel’s former anchors have made waves in the political arena, with figures like ex-Future Forward luminaries Pannika Wanich and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul transitioning from news desks to parliamentary seats, reported Thai PBS World. In related news, the Supreme Administrative Court delivered a final blow, dismissing the Prime Minister’s Office secretariat‘s hefty 2.8 billion baht lawsuit against iTV Public Company. The lawsuit, stemming from a joint agreement with Shin Corp to operate a TV station using the UHF spectrum, has been a thorn in the side since 2007, persisting through numerous administrations. ============================ Anti-corruption commission lets go of Yingluck’s exoneration Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has unanimously chosen not to contest the Supreme Court’s ruling, which exonerated former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and five others from malfeasance charges linked to a 240-million baht public relations campaign, according to an insider familiar with the situation. The NACC filed allegations against Yingluck, former Prime Minister’s Office minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, Yingluck’s secretary-general at the time, Suranand Vejjajiva, Matichon Plc, Siam Sport Syndicate Plc, and Siam Sport director Ravi Lohtong. They were accused of abusing their authority by neglecting to hold public tenders for the PR campaign from August 2013 to March 2014. Consequently, Matichon and Siam Sport, the media firms, were favoured and received the contracts. Yingluck, Niwatthamrong and Suranand commissioned Matichon to manage a campaign in 12 provinces to boost infrastructure projects, which the government intended to fund with a 2 trillion baht loan. The NACC stated that the 240 million baht spent on the campaign was squandered when the promotional roadshow was cancelled following the Constitutional Court decision that the proposed legislation for borrowing was unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no harm to the state concerning the PR fund distribution and contract award to Matichon and Siam Sport, as government organisations and the Cabinet had endorsed the Yingluck government’s transport infrastructure projects. The Budget Bureau also agreed that Yingluck, as prime minister, could allocate a contingency fund for the PR project. Therefore, the NACC had no legal grounds to appeal, the source said.

I just returned from 12 days in Da Nang, Vietnam - as I needed to escape Thailand's Songkran water splashing madness. I LOVE Da Nang - a mid size city right on the South China Sea with little to no pollution as the winds from the sea keep things fresh. I live in Jomtien, Thailand and I found that Da Nang from a financial point of view to be between 20% to 30% cheaper than what things cost in the Pattaya area - I believe that is because the VND - Vietnamese Dong currency is not doing well at the moment. I hired a local gay guide to show me around and he was great - DM me if you want more info about him.  No sex - but a great kind guy who has his own car and could take me out of Da Nang to nearby Hue (to see the imperial city), Hoi An where we went to the nearby off-shore island of Cham to do snorkeling and on return to Hoi An proper we visited the unique coconut island water farm in those typical round circular Vietnamese boats (this was one of the highlights for me on this trip to Da Nang). The other thing that I did was rent a motorbike for several days and I just LOVED driving out of Da Nang up into the surrounding hills where you have an amazing view of all of the beaches and the Da Nang city skyline off in the distance. Da Nang has 1 gay bar = https://www.facebook.com/qbardanang1 I did not visit it as I was too busy touring around and getting my daily massages in my lovely 22nd floor AirBnB that overlooked the entire South China Sea.   To meet guys, the number ONE app is BLUED - now renamed to HeeSay.  Hornet is not big in Vietnam like it is in Thailand.  and then there is Grindr (which I hate). Just from the HeeSay app alone - I received over 300 messages in 12 days - truly off the scale - for sex, dates (even for just a romantic walk on the Da Nang seaside), massages, and general queries. Food was great and my gay tour guide turned me onto a different type of Vietnamese coffee - which is called - Cà Phê Muối = sea salt cream coffee - this is now my MOST favorite Vietnamese coffee. so, I guess I need to do a trip report - how do I hate those - as they are so much work to write a proper one with maps, photos, info, etc. - but I will do it eventually.

For additional details: https://www.tatnews.org/2024/04/may-2024s-festivals-and-events-in-thailand/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=may-2024s-festivals-and-events-in-thailand  

From Pattaya News Pattaya City has invested 30 million baht in buying six new toilet trucks to accommodate tourists, elderly, and disabled people, especially during events. Mr. Manoch Nongyai, the Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, proudly announced the initiative on April 25th, 2024, after the city received three out of the six new vehicles. He stated that these new vehicles will be added to the existing 3-vehicle fleet. Previously, Pattaya relied on just three older mobile toilet trucks, with some having been in service for many decades. The bulky size of the old vehicles made it difficult to park them in areas with limited space. The growing number of tourists, particularly during major events, further necessitated the need for expanded restroom facilities, Mr. Manoch added. The newly acquired mobile toilets feature a compact design, making them suitable for navigating tight spaces. Two of the six vehicles come with units specifically dedicated to elderly or people with disabilities as they are equipped with hydraulic lifts. They also offer over six restrooms for both genders. Meanwhile, the other four toilet trucks come with standard units with two restrooms each for men and women. The city has invested over 30 million baht into the project, Mr. Manoch stated. For now, the city will deploy the three trucks they received at Walking Street, the area near the Pattaya City water pump station, and Central Beach when events are not taking place. Deputy Mayor Manoch is confident that the city will receive the remaining three toilet trucks in May of 2024. He expected that the initiative will significantly improve restroom accessibility for tourists and residents in Jomtien and Pattaya beaches. ======================== From Pattaya Mail Pattaya launches electric baht-buses As part of the project’s strategy to curb carbon emissions, the electric pickup trucks will undergo trial service as fixed-route public transportation vehicles from April 2024 to December 2025. Operating along the “Route 4,” these twelve electric vehicles will shuttle passengers from the Bali Hai Pier Parking Lot in South Pattaya to the Bang Lamung District Office.    

Thought I was back in Screwboy when I saw the dancers in opening scene wearing basketball uniforms but then noticed two differences. First, they all have different numbers you can't miss. Second, none are twinks.