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According to Agoda, Bangkok is the most popular international destination while Pattaya comes in at eighth place. Agoda made the findings after having compiled data on room booking made via the platform from May to August this year. Other destinations Agoda said were among the top five most popular among its users were, in respective order, Jeju island of South Korea; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tokyo, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea. Thailand’s Pattaya City was the 8th most popular destination, owing to it being a seaside city renowned for its nightlife scene. https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/agoda-says-bangkok-is-top-destination-for-tourists-worldwide-pattaya-8th-most-popular-407103 ========================== From Pattaya News More than four million foreign tourists have arrived in Thailand since full country reopening in January The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Wednesday, August 17th, reported that the total number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand has reached four million since the full country reopening on January 1st. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told the press that after the government had relaxed its measures and registrations for foreign tourists in January, it was reported that a total of 4,015,504 tourists had visited the country from January 1st to August 16th, reflecting a gradual improvement in the tourism industry. “TAT expected that as of August 31st, the number of foreign tourists would reach 4.5 million people and about 40,000+ people would arrive in the country per day,” the governor added. TAT has kept its target of 10 million foreign tourists by 2022, with an expected number of foreign tourists of at least 1 million per month between August and September. An average increase of 1.5 million people per month is also predicted in the fourth quarter, from October to December.

Somehow I'd be inclined to believe that it is. I don't recall any recent thread that went into this topic with greater detail or wider participation. Members should be grateful for you're being so forthcoming. This has turned into an educational exchange much needed at this moment in time.

The WHO is reporting a 20% increase in new infections in the past week. There are now over 35,000 cases worldwide. Excerpted from CNBC Though data on the vaccine’s effectiveness is limited, there are reports of breakthrough cases in which people who received the shots after exposure to the virus are still falling ill as well as individuals becoming infected after receiving the vaccine as a preventative measure, according to Dr. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s monkeypox technical lead. “We have known from the beginning that this vaccine would not be a silver bullet, that it would not meet all the expectations that are being put on it, and that we don’t have firm efficacy data or effectiveness data in this context,” Lewis told reporters. These reports are not surprising, Lewis said, but highlight the importance of individuals taking other precautions such as reducing their number of sexual partners and avoiding group or casual sex during the current outbreak. It’s also important for people to know that their immune system does not reach its peak response until two weeks after the second dose, she said. “People do need to wait until the vaccine can generate a maximum immune response, but we don’t yet know what the effectiveness will be overall,” Lewis said. A small study from the 1980s found that the smallpox vaccines available at the time were 85% effective at preventing monkeypox. Jynneos was approved in the U.S. in 2019 to treat both smallpox and monkeypox, which are in the same virus family.

The Bangkok Post reports that a 21-year-old Indian man was arrested while trying to smuggle 17 live animals of six species out of Suvarnabhumi Airport Wednesday. The creatures were discovered during and x-ray, hidden in a basket under a layer of food snacks. The haul reportedly included a white desert fox, a raccoon, two iguanas and a pair of white pythons -- as well as three monitor lizards and eight marmoset monkeys. In a similar incident in June, officials arrested two Indian women at Suvarnabhumi for allegedly trying to smuggle 109 live animals in their luggage. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said in a press release that the animals were discovered in two suitcases following an X-ray inspection. Photo from Thai PBS News.

I agree that we shouldn't hold our breath, waiting for Greta's blessing on supersonic flight. Indeed, Greta doesn't believe that we should be flying at all. She's doing her best to shame those who do fly ("flygskam" in her native Swedish). For those who choose to heed her message, you might catch the Orient Express from Europe to Istanbul and then look for connections by boat to Kaduying Port (THBKK) that lies about 40 kilometers from the Gulf of Thailand on the Chao Phraya River. Allow about three weeks (add another week if originating your trip in North America). Your journey won't come cheap (about the cost of a first-class air ticket) but you'll have a fully flat bed to sleep in every night and ample time to catch up on that reading.

From The Nation Thailand's first electric locomotive will be tested at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok this year, Energy Absolute (EA) said on Tuesday. EA deputy chief executive officer Amorn Sapthaweekul said the electric locomotive manufactured by Chinese locomotive manufacturer CRRC Dalian arrived in Thailand on July 17. He added that the company would cooperate with King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Rajamangala University of Technology Isan to conduct shunting test at Bang Sue Grand Station this year. Amorn added that the locomotive can run a distance of 150-200 kilometres, adding that it could save energy cost by more than 40 per cent compared to diesel-powered one. He said the EA has developed an ultra-fast charge system that can charge electric locomotive within an hour, as well as a battery-swapping station that can change battery in not more than 10 minutes. "EA is ready to design and develop ultra-fast charge system to meet the government's strategy to promote Thailand as logistics hub in Asia," he said.

While on the subject of mileage, a little bit of Greta goes a long way.

It's reported today that American Airlines has agreed to buy 20 supersonic airliners, making it the second US carrier to book orders after United earlier signed on for 15 of the "Overture" jets from manufacturer Boom. According to CNBC, the plane will fly as fast as Mach 1.7, or 1,304 mph, dramatically cutting trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flight times. For example, a flight from Seattle to Tokyo, which typically takes just over 10 hours, could be completed in six hours. Boom says its supersonic planes will carry 65 to 80 passenger while flying on sustainable aviation fuel offering lower emissions. Boom will build the jet at a new manufacturing plant in North Carolina and expects to roll out the first model in 2025, with the first flight in 2026. If the flight tests and certification process goes as scheduled, Boom says the Overture will enter commercial service by the end of the decade, the website reported. Continues with video at https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/16/american-airlines-agrees-to-buy-20-supersonic-planes-from-boom.html

I think you must have ended up with the same guy I did at Olivia's in July. Only real dud of the trip.

The Pinnacle Lumpinee Hotel remains listed by Agoda. I seem to recall reading that Jimmy (who many visitors may have booked trough) is no longer in residence.

From Thai News Agency Arrest Warrant Issued for Real Owner of Mountain B Pub CHON BURI, Aug 16 (TNA) – The Pattaya Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Somyot Panprasong, 55, who is the alleged real owner of the Mountain B pub that caught fire in Sattahip district of Chon Buri early this month. Mr Somyot was charged with recklessness causing death and unauthorized pub operation as police found out that he was the real owner of the burnt pub but had his son act as the official owner. Meanwhile, lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet on Monday brought relatives of 13 victims of the Aug 5 Mountain B pub fire to the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok to ask it to take over the case from the Phlu Ta Luang police station in Sattahip district. Local police and administrative officials had a conflict of interest in the pub operation and there were many influential figures in Sattahip, the lawyer said. He also said that he had evidence to prove that Pongsiri Panprasong, the son of Mr Somyot, was not the real owner of the pub and other shareholders of the pub should face legal action related to the tragic fire. (TNA)

And you got the throat infection from the poppers?

From VN Express Foreign tourists have hailed as "positive step" Vietnam's tourism minister proposing visa exemption be expanded for major markets like Europe and the U.S. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, had proposed earlier this week that Vietnam expands visa exemption for tourists from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Europe, and the U.S. to boost tourism recovery after more than two years of pandemic restrictions. It would help increase Vietnam's tourism competitiveness among Southeast Asian nations that already exempt American passport holders from having to get a visa for stays of under 30 days. Ken Rafter from Australia said it would be "fantastic news" if Australians are exempted from obtaining a visa prior to visiting Vietnam. India is currently seen as a country with potential to boost post-pandemic tourism recovery in Vietnam. Vietnamese authorities are now issuing up to 6,000 visas a day to Indians, a 24-fold increase from pre-Covid times, said Pham Sanh Chau, the country's ambassador in New Delhi. Vietnam has welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. The country hopes to welcome five million foreign tourists this year, around 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

For the uninitiated, the definition of Karen from the Slang Dictionary website: Karen is a pejorative slang term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors. As featured in memes, Karen is generally stereotyped as having a blonde bob haircut, asking to speak to retail and restaurant managers to voice complaints or make demands, and being an anti-vaxx , Generation X soccer mom. In 2020, Karen spread as a label used to call out white women who were captured in viral videos engaging in what are widely seen as racist acts.

From Bloomberg News Thailand’s baht rebounded so rapidly in the past few weeks on optimism about the country’s tourism-led growth that it’s already hit year-end analyst targets. The currency jumped 2.3% to about 35.45 per dollar this month, leading gains in Asia by a wide margin. In addition to rising forecasts for tourists arrivals, the advance is also being driven by a narrowing current-account deficit due to falling oil prices. The surge means the baht has already touched the 35.2 level forecast for the fourth quarter by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The rapid gains also feed into the debate over whether the dollar has peaked, as analysts start to weigh in on the right time to return to emerging markets, which had seen capital outflows as the US embarked on aggressive rate hikes. “We expect more upside for the Thai baht though we are cautious about jumping in at current levels given the sharp rally over past weeks,” said Mitul Kotecha, head of emerging market strategy at TD Securities in Singapore. The currency’s rebound was driven by a combination of dollar weakness, the Thai central bank’s policy shift, signs of a recovery in tourism and firmer economic data, he said. Moves in the baht on Monday highlighted how it’s still vulnerable to global economic uncertainties. The currency declined 0.5% during the day, the biggest drop in more than three weeks after China cut key interest rates and after a report showed economic growth was weaker than economists had estimated.

I wouldn't be too inclined to worry about the "Karens" of the world. Judging by recent posts, us old timers have too many other pressing issues that concern us. (BTW, I had no idea what the term referred to and had to look it up.)

From Thai News Service 5th Monkeypox Case BANGKOK, Aug 15 (TNA) – Thailand has its fifth monkeypox case who is a Thai woman returning from Dubai, according to the Department of Disease Control. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the department, said the Thai woman aged 25 years arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Aug 14. She was sick and detected by disease control officials at the airport. The woman was cooperative with the officials. Dr Opas said that she had blisters on her body and tested positive for monkeypox. She was sent to hospital for treatment. No one was in close contact with her except two foreign passengers who sat next to her on the plane. Officials were following the foreigners in accordance with their surveillance measures, the director-general said. Monkeypox was not easily transmitted through shared meals or breathing. Infection needed very close contact which was not limited to intercourse, he said. There were more than 30,000 monkeypox cases worldwide and only about six of them died of the disease, Dr Opas said. (TNA)

The sad truth is that we will continue to bemoan the system that made a catastrophe like this possible but it's only a matter of time before it happens again. Corruption grants justice only to the privileged. It's the crime that never stops giving. This victim suffered one of the most excruciating deaths possible yet the persons responsible are unlikely to suffer any consequences. From Pattaya News 19th victim succumbs A 23-year-old woman who was the girlfriend of the deceased singer in the Mountain B club fire died today, August 15th. Athitaya, who was also the girlfriend of the singer who previously passed away in the fire is the 19th fatality of the Mountain B club fire in Chonburi’s Sattahip district. Her mother who asked TPN media not to reveal her full name told her story on Facebook, “I was allowed to see my daughter on Mother’s Day, August 12th. She was wrapped in bandages with only her nose and mouth exposed for a breathing tube and was barely responsive. The doctor told me her body was burnt almost 100 percent, but she could still hang on due to her age.” On August 13th, her mother carried on, “I was lost for words when my daughter’s child asked me about her. Her symptoms only got worse. She had blood poisoning. I knew she wanted to communicate because I saw her cry. I thanked everyone for the blood donations needed.” On August 14th, her mother wrote on Facebook, “The doctor said my daughter was incredibly strong to hang on this long despite her excruciating injuries. But they told me she might not be able to pass this night. Her heart could stop beating anytime.” Finally, on August 15th, the mother confirmed on Facebook that her daughter Athitaya has passed away at the age of 23.

Although you don't hear a lot about it, Thailand has had an aircraft carrier in service since 1997. In addition to its role as a combatant vessel, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet is well suited to disaster relief and humanitarian missions, with the ability to serve as a forward base for helicopters and small boats and to receive casualties while transporting food and supplies. It saw duty in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and flooding incidents in Thailand. This article tells the story of the Navy's flagship as well as providing a brief history of naval aviation in the Kingdom. From The Warzone https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/the-harriers-are-gone-but-thailands-unlikely-aircraft-carrier-sails-on

I think you'd first have to have loved someone in order to answer that question.

I was surprised--and pleased!--to learn that DB's has abandoned its practice of featuring only Thai boys. Kudos on a great update. 👍

From The Thaiger To celebrate two royal birthdays, His Royal Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit, over 100,000 people in Thai prison have received some level of clemency. HM the King celebrated his 70th birthday this year on July 28 and yesterday the Queen Mother celebrated her 90th birthday. In total 103,613 incarcerated people received a royal pardon, according to the Corrections Department. Of those to receive royal pardons, 80,791 inmates were granted a reduced sentence in their prison terms, while 22,822 were given an early release and were placed on parole. The amnesty was extended to over 100,000 prisoners, but many noted that several high-profile inmates were passed over for royal clemency. Perhaps the most sensational, Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, well-known as Joe Ferrari, was not granted any reduction or parole. He was sentenced to life in prison after horrific video footage was leaked showing him and six other police officers restraining a drug suspect with six plastic bags over his head in custody, who was tortured and suffocated to death. Former Minister of Commerce Boonsong Teriyapirom was also passed over for any reduction or release. He was sentenced to 48 years in prison on corruption charges related to rice contracts between governments. And former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong, who is currently serving two years in prison due to a vote-buying scandal in a local election in 2014, was also denied a royal pardon. According to the director-general of the Corrections Department, the three notorious inmates were not eligible for royal pardons. To receive a pardon, prisoners must serve at least one-third of their prison sentence or at least eight years before receiving royal amnesty. There is not even an exception granted for elderly inmates over 70.

From The Thaiger