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From The Nation Soaring land prices in Bangkok’s central business district have resulted in record high prices for new high-end condos, real estate consultant Property DNA said on Monday. “This year we have seen more new condo projects opening at more than a quarter million baht per square metre, while back in 2019 this kind of price was rare,” said Surachet Kongcheep, the firm’s managing director. These ultra-luxury condo projects are located in areas such as Rama I, Phloen Chit, Wireless Road, Silom, Sathorn, Rama IV, certain sections of Sukhumvit Road, and by the Chao Phraya River, he said. Buyers are snapping up these units quickly despite the high prices, with some projects reporting 65-85% bookings, he added. High-rise condos located near Lumpini Park are especially popular thanks to rare views of the city’s oasis, while a lack of nearby train stations is not a dealbreaker as many buyers prefer privacy over convenience. Surachet also predicted top prices for new luxury condos will soon rise to 600 million baht per unit, as giant developers pay record prices for empty plots in prime CBD locations. “Thai and foreign buyers have already shown interest in these projects despite the sales not officially starting yet,” he said. “Developers have also teamed up with operators of five-star hotels in supervising the projects, thus further increasing their value and prices.”

From National News Bureau of Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently convened a meeting with Phuket’s government officials, consuls, and honorary consuls from 12 countries, along with local police units, to discuss and enhance measures aimed at boosting tourist safety and clamping down on crimes involving foreigners. The discussions focused on strategies to ensure that Phuket remains a safe destination for international visitors. During the meeting, Srettha stressed the importance of protecting the lives and property of both residents and tourists. He advocated for the creation of a ‘Phuket Model’ that integrates tourism development with heightened safety measures and rigorous law enforcement. Specific attention was given to preventing accidents on roads and waterways, enforcing stringent fire safety regulations, and ensuring that all business operations are properly licensed. The premier directed special attention to high-traffic tourist areas such as Patong and Bangla, insisting on a zero-tolerance policy towards drug use and public disturbances. Urgent upgrades were ordered for local police facilities to better equip them to handle these challenges. Reflecting on his tenure, the prime minister highlighted the progress made in enhancing Phuket’s appeal as a tourist destination since his first visit after assuming office. He also called for a balanced approach to economic benefits, urging local stakeholders to consider national security as a crucial aspect of their tourism and business strategies. (NNT) ================== From The Thaiger / Phuket News Phuket hospital calls for law-abiding visitors Vachira Phuket Hospital called upon the Russian community in Phuket to respect Thai laws and hospital regulations following a string of incidents involving Russian nationals. Recent episodes include a Russian man refusing to settle his medical bills, and a woman threatening hospital staff with a baseball bat. A man of Russian nationality was arrested on April 19 for intimidating the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital and declining to pay his outstanding medical bill. The hospital has declared it will not tolerate such conduct. The letter appealing to the Russian community in Phuket was signed by Methavee Maneesri, the Head of the International Department at Vachira Phuket Hospital. “Dear Russian Community in Phuket, please find the attached information from the police daily record regarding an incident [that occurred at Vachira Phuket Hospital]. The behaviour described in the report is unacceptable to us. I am ready to assist and cooperate with anyone involved in medical cases, provided they adhere to standard procedures and respect public laws and regulations.” Methavee stressed the importance of respecting hospital procedures and public laws. She also reminded everyone that healthcare services are not free, encouraging everyone to have medical or work insurance and adhere to the waiting in a queue like Thai nationals do. The letter, dated April 20, was sent to The Phuket News with a request to share the information in Novosti Phuketa, the Russian-language sister newspaper of The Phuket News. Included with the letter was a copy of a Phuket City Police report corroborating Methavee’s complaint about an incident involving a threatening Russian patient. According to this report and Methavee’s account, a 48 year old Russian patient, Sergey Chent, received treatment on April 17 and left without paying his bill totalling 8,380 baht. On April 19, Chent returned to Vachira Phuket Hospital for another medical consultation. Methavee and other hospital staff requested him to pay the outstanding bill of 8,380 baht. Chent refused to pay and threatened the staff, bragging about his connections with high-ranking police officers, influence, and wealth. He was accompanied by a woman carrying a baseball bat, according to the police report. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-hospital-calls-on-russian-community-to-respect-thai-laws

NOTE -- It's ironic but these are the same folks who've been appealing to the government to do everything within its power to liberalize tourism in the wake of the pandemic. Prosperity seems less appetizing up close. From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations has formally warned the Thai government that overtourism is now at crisis point. With projections that the calendar year 2024 will see 40 million overseas visitors – parallel to 2019 the last pre-covid year – both the environment and tourist comfort are under dire threat. The most badly affected cities are Phuket and Pattaya where there are respectively 118 and 99 overseas visitors for every local resident in research conducted by MoneyTransfers. That research is already several months out of date and the true ratios could be worse. Chris Flynn, chief officer of the World Tourism Association, said that Thai authorities don’t seem to have determined “what they can take before they break”. The most obvious signs of overtourism in Pattaya are awesome traffic congestion made worse by tour buses crowding the inadequate roads and road repairs being conducted at several points in or near the city center. John Leeman, a tourist from Liverpool UK, said, ”It takes me at least one hour after dark to travel from Jomtien to central Pattaya, twice last year’s time, and when you get to your destination parking is near-impossible.” The situation could soon be made worse by the threat of water shortages, caused by lack of rainfall, and also by the prospect of more passengers arriving at U-tapao airport near Pattaya. At the moment, some airlines decline to utilize that base as there is no regular bus passenger transport into Pattaya. If that situation changes, U-tapao can expect a surge in the number of daily arrivals. n recent months, Thai tourist numbers have surged partly as a result of the abandonment of holiday visas for huge markets such as Russia, China and India. In response, Thai tourist authorities are trying to promote second-tier provinces to take the pressure off the traditional resorts. The Tourism Council of Thailand meanwhile is asking the government to collect the 300 baht entry fee to fund development and improvements. But many travel gurus doubt whether such policies will actually deter overtourism. It is not just a Thai problem. In Greece the numbers visiting the Acropolis have been restricted by the need for advance booking and pre-payment. Holland has toughened its drug laws to deter the supposed hoodlum market and has banned the building of any more hotels. Some commentators see Thailand’s recent crackdown on foreign crime – over 400 arrested in Phuket on a variety of charges – and the likely banning of leisure cannabis later this year as signs that the government wants to deter some fun-loving overseas visitors. As one Cabinet minister put it, “We want quality tourists from now on.” ===================== From The Thaiger Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is set to present a white paper to the government outlining solutions to over-tourism, a significant issue in Thailand pre-pandemic. Secretary-General of FETTA, Adith Chairattananon, pointed out that major tourist destinations like Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya are on the brink of over-tourism, with a projected 40 million tourists. During peak season, these popular destinations suffer from traffic congestion and water shortages, with international airports running out of slots for airlines. Adith suggests a key strategy could be to divert tourists from these hubs to the country’s secondary cities. These cities offer numerous potential attractions and have adequate space to accommodate an influx of tourists. Adith also proposed incentives for airlines to operate direct flights to provincial airports, such as U-Tapao, Khon Kaen, and Krabi. Such a move would ease congestion at major airports, like Phuket Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport, and stimulate regional business opportunities. Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Vice-President Surawat Akaraworamat supports the idea of a 300-baht tourism fee. He believes it could fund tourism development as the plan and all related preparations have been finalised. Surawat suggests that the tax would not deter foreign tourists, as the fee is minimal compared to countries like Bhutan, which charges a tourist tax of over US$100 (approximately 3,700 baht) per night. The additional revenue could be used to develop infrastructure in second-tier provinces, attract tourists away from overcrowded locations, and enhance attractions that have deteriorated due to over-tourism, reported Bangkok Post. Surawat called for a trial phase of tourism tax collection through a mobile application or kiosks, mirroring the approach taken by many countries that collect taxes from tourists through flight tickets or hotel stays.

From Thai PBS World Taiwan’s capital was hit by a series of earthquakes overnight into the early hours of Tuesday, with the Central Weather Administration saying the strongest was a magnitude-6.3 tremor originating in eastern Hualien. The first strong quake — a magnitude 5.5 — hit on Monday at around 5:08 pm (0908 GMT), according to Central Weather Administration. It could be felt in the capital Taipei. That was followed by a series of aftershocks and quakes, with two intense tremors hitting one after another around 2:30 am (1830 GMT) Tuesday, according to AFP reporters and witnesses in Taipei. “I was washing my hands, and suddenly felt what I thought was vertigo,” Olivier Bonifacio, a tourist staying in Taipei’s Da’an district, told AFP. “I stepped into my room and noticed the building was rocking and I heard the desk creak,” he said, adding that it was then he realised it was another aftershock. The Central Weather Administration said a magnitude-6.0 quake had hit at 2:26 am, followed six minutes later by the magnitude-6.3 tremor.

There’s no accounting for taste 😊

The dollar today rose above 37 for the first time since last September while the EURO was at 39.44 and the pound at 45.66.

From The Thaiger A shocking execution-style murder in the early hours of yesterday morning has left the Thai boxing community in mourning. The 56 year old, owner of a boxing camp, known as Sia Dam, was brutally shot in the head and neck by an unidentified gunman, resulting in his immediate death. The incident, which took place around 4am yesterday, April 22, unfolded in the presence of his son at a religious celebration in Buriram province. The tragedy struck just as the celebrations at Nong Teng Temple in Nong Teng subdistrict, were concluding. Sia, a respected figure from Chokna Sam Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province had brought two of his boxers to compete at the event, which also included an honorary ceremony for the abbot. The assailant, who remains at large, used a grey Hyundai van with a Cambodian license plate as the scene for the cold-blooded killing. The assailant, who remains at large, used a grey Hyundai van with a Cambodian license plate as the scene for the cold-blooded killing.

From Thai PBS World Thailand is experiencing very hot weather across the country today, with the maximum temperature predicted to rise to 43oC in some areas of the northern region, according to the Meteorological Department. Maximum temperatures in the northern provinces today are forecast too range from 38oC to 43oC, while the north-eastern region is expected to peak at 41oC. The central region is also hot, with maximum temperatures varying from 39oC to 42oC. In Bangkok, the maximum temperature is predicted to reach 41oC.

I walk Lumpinee a few evenings each week at twilight and it never struck me as a particularly cruisy spot. Most folks are there for the exercise and relaxation. Whereas Silom rd. and Surawong present crusing opportunities 24/7.

But what about other dogs' balls?

Don’t sell yourself short; you’re a hell of size queen.

He has small feet. 🙂

From Pattaya News Many Tourists Report Belongings Stolen on Pattaya Beach On April 19th, 2024, Pattaya local media reported that many Thai and foreign tourists filed police reports after their belongings were stolen during Wan Lai Pattaya 2024 on Pattaya Beach, Pattaya. According to the police reports, at least 20 individuals both Thais and foreigners reportedly filed reports to Pattaya City police officers to request for them to help track down suspects who allegedly stole their belongings during Wan Lai Pattaya. The victims lost their cash, smartphones, credit cards, and important documentation. Many also complained about the security measures set up for tourists despite police officers in uniforms and undercover being tasked to monitor the security of the tourists, according to the police reports. In many of the cases, pickpockets and thieves had cut strings on tourist’s protective water pouches and even cut into the bags themselves, taking the belongings of the unsuspecting victims who were usually distracted by a different suspect working with the thieves. The victim group pleaded with the police to find the suspects swiftly to prosecute legal action against the thieves as not only did it negatively impact Pattaya City and national tourism images, but many foreigners also lost their important documentation. Pattaya police, meanwhile, promised to review the cases but also stated that protecting one’s valuables starts with oneself and that tourists should properly secure their belongings, not flash large amounts of jewelry or cash, and be cautious of strangers that approach, hug, or touch them. Pickpockets working in large crowds during major festivals have been a major problem for many years, notes TPN media, and police have continually warned tourists to keep a close eye on their belongings.

From Travell and Leisure by Kevin West Kevin West From left: The pagoda-style station in Luang Prabang, built for the 2021 opening of the country's new high-speed rail; prehistoric megaliths at the Plain of Jars, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the south of Laos. © Provided by Travel + Leisure The Mekong River has been a primary source of food, livelihood, and transportation in Laos since time began. Now a high-speed railway has arrived. What changes will it bring, and what will it take away? As the twin-engine prop plane from Bangkok began its descent into Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, I saw through the pearly dry-season air a wide river, one of the mighty Mekong’s many tributaries. Along one bank ran glinting steel track that arced like a shot arrow and pierced the mountain in its way — the path of a new high-speed train. The river and the rail: one representing Laos’s past, the other its future. A landlocked country threaded by waterways, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was once a densely forested Buddhist kingdom called Lan Xang, known as the land of a million elephants. More recently, it was a revolutionary communist state bombed to smithereens during the Vietnam War, when the United States rained down some 2 million tons of explosives on its jungle-clad hills. "The river and the rail framed everything I saw during a 10-day tour of northern and central Laos —the temples, palaces, rice paddies, monks, bamboo footbridges, tribal festivals, mountain villages, long-tail boats, caves, backpacker cafés, elephant preserves, and waterfalls." "The river and the rail framed everything I saw during a 10-day tour of northern and central Laos —the temples, palaces, rice paddies, monks, bamboo footbridges, tribal festivals, mountain villages, long-tail boats, caves, backpacker cafés, elephant preserves, and waterfalls." Today, Laos’s future is unfolding in the shadow of the colossus to the north. The multibillion-dollar rail system, part of Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative, was engineered with Chinese expertise and financed by Chinese capital, and on any given day its first-class compartments carry mainly Chinese tourists from Borten, on Laos’s northern border, to the modern capital of Vientiane, with sightseeing stops along the way. The river and the rail framed everything I saw during a 10-day tour of northern and central Laos — the temples, palaces, rice paddies, monks, bamboo footbridges, tribal festivals, mountain villages, long-tail boats, caves, backpacker cafés, elephant preserves, waterfalls, foreign-owned luxury hotels, local markets full of river fish and bushmeat, archaeological sites, forlorn guesthouses, sugarcane plantations, silk-weaving workshops, and roadside noodle shops. It was a fast-moving trip. Indeed, the idea was to test the promise of the high-speed train in a country notorious for slow going. Laotian roads are measured in rattles and jolts. Even the main national highway, a paved four-lane that leads from Vientiane to the north, is tortuous — a “snake road,” one local told me. “Lotta curves.” Now what was once a full day on the snake road whooshes by in half a morning. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/i-explored-the-lesser-known-parts-of-laos-on-a-new-high-speed-train-heres-what-to-know/ar-AA1nlO7X#

No, but that's me seated in rickshaw in first photo.

For those who've read John Burdett's "Bangkok 8," they've seen this plot before.

The operative words are "high pressure" (measured in pounds per square inch). The trucks deliver the water in a low pressure spray.

The website still comes up as "https://onespa.love/"

From Pattaya Mail In the early hours of April 19, Pattaya’s tourist police officers swiftly intervened and arrested Sumaree Keemalae, a 59-year-old woman, in the vicinity of Walking Street, following a targeted theft aimed at a foreign tourist during the Songkran festivities. The incident unfolded as a Chinese tourist couple immersed themselves in the celebration along Walking Street. Sensing a disturbance with his backpack, initially dismissed as mere suspicion, the tourist soon discovered evidence of tampering. Upon closer inspection, he found his backpack slashed and valuables missing. Reacting quickly, the man managed to grab Sumaree, whom he suspected of perpetrating the theft, and handed her over to nearby tourist police authorities. During interrogation, Sumaree admitted to her involvement in the crime and divulged insights into the pickpocketing operation. She disclosed her role as part of a four-person group systematically targeting unsuspecting tourists during crowded events. Each member had assigned tasks, with one distracting the victim while another executed the theft. However, Sumaree’s capture by the tourist thwarted the operation, leading to her arrest. Further investigations revealed Sumaree’s extensive criminal record, with seven prior cases linked to theft. Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong Ensan, chief of the Pattaya Tourist Police, voiced concerns for the safety of tourists in Pattaya and urged visitors to remain vigilant, especially regarding their belongings. Emphasizing the importance of proactive reporting, he encouraged tourists to promptly alert law enforcement to any suspicious activities. Additionally, security cameras strategically placed in the area captured clear footage of the incident, providing vital evidence for the ongoing investigation.

From Pattaya News The Wan Lai Festival, also known as the Big Day of Songkran, kicked off yesterday, April 19th, transforming the city’s world-famous beachfront into a lively spectacle of water splashing. The atmosphere along Pattaya Beach Road, from Pattaya Klang Intersection to Walking Street in South Pattaya, was electric as thousands of Thai and international tourists immersed themselves in the last day of Songkran festivities. The 2-kilometer stretch was transformed into a water playground, with the city authorities setting up water spraying trucks and private businesses organizing various entertainment activities and traditional games. The city also set up a major music stage headlined by famous Thai rock act Retrospect. The city had also previously announced that alcohol would not be allowed on the beach area during the event but this rule did not seem to be strongly enforced.

The One Spa site appears to have been restored. If you go the webpage and see message quoted above, look at bottom of screen for box that says "AGREE". Click on that and it should take you to listings. I feel a lot better now. 🙂

From VN Express By Mai Nhat Saigon City Hall (now headquarters of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee) was designed by architect Femand Gardès and built between 1889 and 1909. In the French colonial period, the building was originally called Hôtel de ville in French or Tay Xa Palace in Vietnamese. By the time of the Republic of Vietnam, it was used for government work and important meetings The corner of Rue Catinat and Lagrandière (now Dong Khoi - Ly Tu Trong, District 1). The street is known as the "umbilical cord" of old Saigon, a nearly kilometer-long street that boasted the first commercial centers an d first hotels in Saigon. The bustling street in front of Ho Chi Minh City Hall has now become Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Continues at https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/saigon-100-years-ago-through-foreigners-lenses-4734460.html

One Spa website is down The following message appears on the site: Please note: Currently, the Onespa store's customer database system has crashed and still cannot be recovered. In addition, the store's phone number cannot be contacted as well. Therefore, customers are asked to walk in to use the service directly for the time being. At this time, the store manager, Mr. Ritthikai (Sky), is no longer an employee of the store. We therefore request all customers to contact Manager Barbie as a replacement.

But nevertheless still factual 🙂

Thanks for great video. It caught my interest and I did some searching and here's what I learned. The festival is part of an annual celebration by the local Catholic church, commemorating an event that owes its origins to a gift from Mexico. From Wikipedia The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo, also known as Tondo Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Tondo, Manila established by the Augustinians. It houses an image of the Infant Jesus which originally came from Acapulco, Mexico and was handed over by a wealthy merchant to the Archbishop of Manila at that time, who later turned it over to the parish priest of Tondo Since 1572, the image of the Santo Niño has been enshrined in this church. If you Google Tondo macho dancing (or something akin to it) you'll find other videos. Among them one that describes the time these young men spend in weight rooms, preparing for this joyful display of masculinity that delights the population. The topic of macho dancing jogged my memory. In 1988, the full-length movie "Macho Dancer" was released and won worldwide acclaim. From Internet Archieve Macho Dancer is a 1988 Philippine film, directed by Lino Brocka. It explores the realities of a young, poor, rural gay man, who after being dumped by his American boyfriend, is forced to support himself and his family in Manila's seamy red-light district. The film's frank depiction of homosexuality, prostitution, drag queens and crooked cops, the porn industry, sexual slavery, and drugs and violence caused Filipino government censors to order extensive edits of the film. Brocka smuggled an uncensored cut out of the Philippines to be shown to a limited number of international film festivals. The film received a standing ovation at the 1988 Toronto International Film Festival. In 2013, a Thai documentary (My Life as a GoGo Dancer) was released. It features a performer at Jupiter's old location on Soi Twilight.