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From Thai Enquirer Telecom surveillance orders just a part of growing digital authoritarianism in Myanmar larming orders from Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) back in June warned that senior executives of major telecommunications firms in the country would not be allowed to leave the country without the permission of the military junta. In pursuit of the junta’s goals of creating a digital surveillance state, telecom companies were told that they had until July 5 to implement technology on their systems that would allow government authorities to spy on calls, messages, and web traffic, as well as to track the whereabouts of users. While these recent initiatives by the military junta come as the country faces growing instability due to widespread public protests, a growing armed opposition, and economic upheaval, the broader strategy of digital authoritarianism predates the February 1 coup d’état. The implications of this strategy are far-reaching. Before February 1, the Tatmadaw not-so-covertly obtained technology that allows them to conduct surveillance on their own citizens through purchases that were sold under the guise of modernizing the country’s law enforcement agencies. With the former National League for Democracy (NLD) government out of the way and largely detained, the military government now has access to surveillance drones, electronic devices that can crack iPhones, and sophisticated software that can hack into computer systems and extract their data. In other words, the same technology that was designed to help modernize Myanmar during its democratization period is now being used to crackdown on civilians as well as gain control over some domestic and foreign corporations based in the country. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29694/telecom-surveillance-orders-just-a-part-of-growing-digital-authoritarianism-in-myanmar/

From Bangkok Post Sinovac dumped as second-dose vaccine in favour of AstraZeneca In a major policy change, the Public Health Ministry has decided to use the AstraZeneca vaccine for the second jab for those who received Sinovac as the first dose. Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul announced the change on Monday. AstraZeneca would be administered as the second shot three or four weeks after the Sinovac inoculation. A combination of the two vaccines would provide a better defence against the Delta variant of the virus, he said. Mr Anutin did not say what people who have had two doses of Sinovac should do when the change in policy comes into force, or how it would affect people awaiting their first or second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. The change was announced after a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee as part of measures to cope with Delta, the highly contagious variant of the virus first detected in India and rapidly becoming the dominant strain in Thailand https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2147511/sinovac-dumped-as-second-dose-vaccine-in-favour-of-astrazeneca

From AFP / BP Members of Myanmar's Karenni People Defense Force take part in military training at their camp near Demoso in Kayah state. KAYAH STATE, Myanmar: In their camp hidden in the forested hills of Kayah state near the Thai border, Myanmar anti-junta volunteers practice firing their homemade weapons, do physical training, and play guitar in between skirmishes with the military. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February and launched a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests. In some areas civilians have formed "defence forces" to combat the State Administration Council, as the junta dubs itself, often using hunting rifles or weapons manufactured at makeshift factories. "I've been away from my family more than three months," one member of the defence force at the camp told AFP on condition of anonymity. "I will return home after this revolution." During that time the group of roughly 60 has fought around twenty skirmishes with the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, he said. Communication is patchy in the country's eastern states, and AFP was unable to verify the number of clashes. Since the coup, fighting between Myanmar's military and rebel groups in the east of the country has displaced an estimated 100,000 people, the UN said last month. Locals in Kayah state have accused the military of using artillery shells that have landed in villages. That has only hardened resolve to take up arms. "We will never forget and forgive till the end of the world" reads a tattoo across the neck of one volunteer. The wooden rifle of another has "Spring Revolution" carved into the butt and barrel in Burmese script. In a mixture of combat camouflage and T-shirts, the volunteers go on patrol, navigating single track paths through the jagged hills. They practice firing their motley assemblage of weapons at a makeshift firing range. During downtime, one plays guitar on a bench while another resting inside a tent checks his weapon. More than 890 people have been killed by the junta's security forces since February 1, according to a local monitoring group. As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training. The civilian fighters are often outnumbered and outgunned in clashes with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal. But the volunteers are determined to fight on. "If we all fight, we will win," one told AFP. "I believe we can win." https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2146959/walking-with-myanmars-anti-junta-fighters

Again, the emphasis on illegal actions by the dead. You do indeed have much respect for what's illegal in your native land and I find that admirable. I'm sure you have equal respect for what's considered illegal in the LOS and never violate it.

Regardless of how you've tried to present it, you're still intent on making the 39 deceased complicit in their own deaths. You want people to believe that they all had a death wish. Apparently you'll rest better if everyone shares your viewpoint.

Oh, I get it. Your new plan is to prove them guilty my pretending that they never died. That gives you carte blanche to rewrite history and show just what true criminals the 39 actually are. I have to admit it's a compelling argument. Use alternative facts and presto: 39 felons instead of 39 bodies. It's a very Trumpian view (Biden wasn't elected, I was!). Very clever indeed, Peter.

Hard to believe, but you are making it abundantly clear that your prime objective is to show that the dead are guilty. Prepare yourself for a shock: as much as you wish to, you cannot prosecute the deceased. And I thought you might actually know that.

To believe that the victims suspected that they could end up dead as they reached their destination is a ridiculous assumption. That they paid traffickers to take them on a fatal mission is preposterous. You think you know what was in their minds? Read the transcripts of the cell phone messages left for their loved ones. Somehow they just don't sounds like scheming criminals to me. No one is against prosecuting all those connected with the the incident. You can't, however, prosecute the victims any more than they already have been. To try to do so here after they are no longer with us is particularly cruel. This discussion started with the false claim that they tried to "smuggle themselves" into the the UK. They didn't choose their manner of passport or agree to be locked in a sealed refrigerator from which they would never escape alive. Attempts to demonstrate their complicity in their own deaths only succeed in defiling their memory. Their bodies are now beyond further injury.

It's not disputed that the traffickers in Vietnam set this in motion. Those convicted in the UK, however, were much more than just unfortunate middle men in the taking of 39 lives. For most of them, this was not the first time they had smuggled people into the UK. It was the first time they were caught. Without their direct actions, the 39 would not have died. That's the way I see of apportioning the blame correctly. They didn't willingly agree to be killed. You're content portray them as collateral damage, not victims. You forget that it was you who first took the tread off topic when you said: "Even further up the list, people from Vietnam were attempting to smuggle themselves into the UK in the back of a truck a couple of years ago. It the UK made it easy to get visas, the ones intending to try illegal immigration would simply get a visa, fly here, then abscond." You cavalierly made light of it, crediting the state for not making it easier for those Vietnamese to arrive. Somehow I don't think it was at all that easy to slowly suffocate. But that's just me. Then you proceed with a litany of reasons that should serve to discourage others. Again, you go out of your way to make light of the incident, referring to "cute young lads" and the political correctness of it all. You fail to acknowledge the tragedy that befell them, opting instead to down play it. Go back and take a look at those 39 faces. Those were fellow human beings robbed of their lives at an early age. We are no better than any one of them. We are the fortunate who, by accident of birth of happenstance, were born into a country where we became better educated, acquired good-paying jobs and maybe some semblance of wealth. None of that gives us the right to look down on anyone of these young people who wish for the same things. These are the people who enter our countries--legally or otherwise--and harvest our produce, toil in our food processing factories and do physical labor our own citizens prefer not to. They deserve to be acknowledged for their contribution which is typically rewarded with low pay and few if any benefits.

Turning victims into criminals is a classic and regrettable way of redirecting blame. It may assuage the conscience of those who wish to deflect attention from the fact that the act would not have been even possible without the direct overt acts of the true criminals who were found guilty in this matter. There are many ways to belittle and disparage those very same people we hope to meet in our travels. In other words they're good enough to satisfy our desires while were in country but perish the thought that we should permit them into our home nations. Employing double standards that meets our needs in one set of conditions but we find distasteful in others seems remarkably convenient. In this case, it precludes the possibility that young Thais may indeed have aspirations other than a career in the sex business.

It's worth reminding readers that the 39 Vietnamese who were suffocated to death in the refrigerated lorry in 2019 were not smuggling themselves into England. They were smuggled in by others. All of those convicted of manslaughter or smuggling them into the UK were citizens of the UK, Ireland or Italy. These are the faces of those young people who suffered the agonizing death. R.I.P.

From Bangkok Post Record 91 Covid deaths, 9,326 new cases Ninety-one Covid-19 fatalities and 9,326 new cases were reported on Saturday, according to the Public Health Ministry. Of the new cases, 9,134 were found among the general population and 192 among prison inmates.

As my post was meant in jest, I'd certainly agree there's no need to become a super sleuth in order to date a guy, whether you're a newbie or veteran. It's pretty much understood that the older man is always the patron. He's expected to pick up the tab and compensate the younger man for his time. Sure, many of us can recall guys we met at Babylon back in the day who weren't MB's. But even then, you still brought him a drink--and probably dinner. It was just expected and always appreciated. Over all these years I've found that the more I begin from a position of trust, the better l make out in the end. I'm not saying that some guys won't disappoint you but I believe by far it has been a more rewarding track for me to take. Nevertheless I acknowledge that everyone has their own take on this.

I was wondering where China fit into the index. By checking the Henley & Partners website, I found that China shares 72nd place with Suriname and Namibia. If you don't see your country you can find it here at https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking

Good point. And it seems some in power never tire of "investigating" how Boss escaped the tentacles of the law than actually bringing him to justice. A few days ago yet another probe was announced to investigate mishandling of the case, something long ago established in earlier efforts, but nothing is said of capturing the outlaw. From Thaiger / BP Another new panel formed to investigate senior officers, prosecutors in “Boss” case A new panel has been created to investigate 15 senior police officers, investigators, and public prosecutors, accused of mishandling the hit-and-run case against Red Bull heir, Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidh­ya. Among those being investigated are 2 police generals and 2 senior police officers. The Bangkok Post reports that all members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission will sit on the newly-created panel. Vorayuth is wanted for a 2012 hit-and-run case in which a Bangkok policeman lost his life. The Red Bull heir managed to evade justice and somehow fled the country. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the 9 NACC members have been ordered to investigate the mishandling of the case themselves. Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit from the NACC has stressed the need for the investigation to be concluded promptly. The National Anti-Corruption Act stipulates that NACC investigations must be concluded within 2 years, although this can be extended to another year if more time is needed. There are now 2 panels investigating the handling of the case against Vorayuth. The first is a committee formed by the Public Prosecutor Commission, which has already implicated the former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk after he decided to drop the charges against the Red Bull heir, a decision that prompted national outrage. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/another-new-panel-formed-to-investigate-senior-officers-prosecutors-in-boss-case

From Bangkok Post 72 Covid deaths, 9,276 new cases There were 72 Covid-19 fatalities and 9,276 new cases over the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Friday. Thirty-nine of the deaths were in Bangkok and the average age was 66 years. There were 8,998 cases in the general population and 278 among prison inmates. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 2,534 fatalities and 317,506 cases of infection, 240,077 of whom had already recovered. The 9,276 new Covid-19 cases comprised 8,975 local infections, 23 imported cases and 278 in prisons. Bangkok recorded 3,116 cases, followed by 544 in Samut Sakhon, 437 in Samut Prakan, 341 in Lop Buri, 317 in Chon Buri, 265 in Ayutthaya, 243 in Chachoengsao, 236 in Nonthaburi, 214 in Pattani and 211 in Nakhon Pathom. The CCSA spokeswoman said 74,895 people were receiving Covid-19 treatment at hospitals on Thursday. They included 2,685 critically ill patients and 701 dependent on ventilators. Samut Sakhon had one new cluster at a snack factory in Krathum Baen district with 29 Covid-19 cases, Samut Prakan reported a new cluster at a construction workers’ camp in Bang Phli district and Ayutthaya had a new cluster at a community in front of the factory land in Wang Noi district with 117 cases. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2146139/72-covid-deaths-9-276-new-cases ================================= From The Thaiger / Reuters Thailand among 5 economies most at risk from Delta variant The investment banking firm JP Morgan says there are 5 emerging economies that are most vulnerable to the Delta variant – and Thailand is one of them. According to a Reuters report, the others are South Africa, Colombia, the Philippines, and Peru. The primary reason given for these findings is the low rate of vaccination, with analysts comparing the pace of vaccine rollouts with the spread of the Delta variant first reported in India. In some countries, mass vaccination is not happening quickly enough to offset the surge in infections caused by the highly contagious variant. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/economy/jp-morgan-includes-thailand-in-5-economies-most-at-risk-from-delta-variant

It's not a word you commonly see. However, Coconuts may have a style guide that permits profanity when it's in the context of a third-party quotation as it it is here.

From Bangkok Post / Forbes 50 richest Thais on Forbes list add B28bn Thailand's 50 richest on the 2021 Forbes list, led by the Chearavanont brothers, did well during the Covid-19 pandemic, with $28 billion added to their combined wealth over the past 15 months. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index jumped 43% during the period, driven by the prospect of an economic recovery and an uptick in exports. The increase helped boost the combined wealth of the country’s 50 richest by more than 20% to $160 billion. The ranking of the top five on the list, whose net worth gains made up nearly half of the total increase, remains unchanged. 2021 Forbes Thailand's 50 Richest The Chearavanont brothers of Charoen Pokphand Group retain their top spot with a net worth of $30.2 billion, up from $27.3 billion last year. Chalerm Yoovidhya, who shares a $24.5-billion Red Bull fortune with his family, is this year’s biggest dollar gainer. He added $4.3 billion to his wealth and holds onto his position as the second richest. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi of Thai Beverage remains at the third spot, with his fortune rising to $12.7 billion from $10.5 billion last year. In the fourth place is the Chirathivat family, with $11.6 billion, up by $2.1 billion. At the 5th is energy tycoon Sarath Ratanavadi, who made headlines in April with a $17-billion bid for Intouch Holdings and its wireless firm Advanced Info Services, Thailand’s biggest mobile operator by revenue. His wealth was up by nearly a third to $8.9 billion. Overall, 38 of the 50 listees saw wealth gains, including eight who added more than $1 billion each. The minimum net worth to make the list this year was $737 million, up from $460 million last year. The top 10 richest in Thailand are: Chearavanont Brothers; $30.2 billion Chalerm Yoovidhya; $24.5 billion Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi; $12.7 billion Chirathivat family; $11.6 billion Sarath Ratanavadi; $8.9 billion Osathanugrah Family; $3.5 billion Somphote Ahunai; $3.3 billion Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth; $3.25 billion Prachak Tangkaravakoon; $3.2 billion Chuchat Petaumpai & Daonapa Petampai; $3 billion https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2145631/50-richest-thais-on-forbes-list-add-b28bn

Fitness Thaniya was formerly known as the Clark Hatch Fitness Center when I first started coming to Bangkok. If you stayed at the Tarntawan Place Hotel you could buy a day pass (200 baht I think about 2002). It was a compact place with a nice pool Price included towels and laundered T-shirt and gym shorts that you returned upon leaving. The memory is just one more that reminds me of how great bkk was when I was new to the town--and 19 years younger--and why we miss all the more now.

Hell, I remember when all you needed was Google Translate. Now I guess you need a calculator, lie detector and two-factor identification before you invite a guy to your room.

From Thai Enquirer Government to tighten restrictions amid record infections, denies “lockdown” The government will decide this week on extra Covid restriction measures suggested by the Ministry of Health, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Thursday, as rates of infection and death reached new highs. “This is not going to be a full lockdown,” said Dr Apisamai Srirangsan, the CCSA’s deputy spokeswoman. The CCSA will decide on the added measures in hard-hit provinces on Friday, she said. The suggestions cover tighter checkpoints between provinces, temporary closure of businesses, changes in opening hours and mandatory working from home. “We have already been asking people to not make any unnecessary traveling between provinces unless they really have to in previous weeks,” Apisamai said. There have been 7,058 confirmed Covid cases and 75 related deaths in the past 24 hours, the CSSA said. From the total cases that were reported in the past 24 hours, 6,981 were found within the general Thai population, excluding the 68 cases in prisons and the nine imported cases. The previous record for the nationwide daily number within the general Thai population was 6,448 on Tuesday, and the one before that was Monday at 6,070 cases. The 75 Covid related deaths in past 24 hours is also a new record. The previous record was at 57 deaths on June 28. The CCSA said the surge of new cases is driven by the Delta variant, first identified in India, which has led to shortages of hospital beds in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the hardest-hit provinces in the third wave which started April 1. They also said this week that they are preparing for up to a possible 10,000 cases per day by next week. At the moment, the only nationwide measure in effect is the temporary shutdown of all entertainment venues. Mandatory mask-wearing is being applied with 20,000 baht fine in some provinces. For Bangkok and the surrounding provinces of Samut Prakarn, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon, worker camps and working sites are closed, dining-in at restaurants is not allowed and events with more than 20 people are banned until the end of July, but people can still travel between provinces. All of these measures are subject to review by the CCSA on Friday. The Ministry of Public Health’s suggestions of extra measures for 14 days are as follows: The setting up of checkpoints to fully ban unnecessary travelling between provinces Fully implementing the work from home model for both public and private sector The temporary closure of high-risk businesses Adjusting the opening hours of businesses such as shopping centers and convenient stores Reducing public transport schedules to match the expected lowered number of passengers https://www.thaienquirer.com/29581/government-to-tighten-restrictions-amid-record-infections-denies-lockdown/

I don't think Gaybutton will mind if I borrow a post from his board. Pattaya cops walked in on a live broadcast involving three Thai guys that was being beamed to China for a select audience. https://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10704

From Bangkok Post Authorities plan to convert a terminal at the main international airport into a field hospital as a surge in coronavirus infections that’s straining the public health system shows little sign of easing. Airports of Thailand Plc, operator of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, has been asked to convert the newly completed terminal into a facility with an intensive-care unit, medical rooms and support for patients with mild to medium symptoms. The hospital will initially provide at least 5,000 patient beds, according to a government statement late Tuesday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144959/new-suvarnabhumi-airport-terminal-to-become-covid-hospital

From Channel News Asia BEIJING: Multiple social media accounts belonging to major university lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights groups in China have been blocked from the popular WeChat app, prompting fears of targeted censorship and calls on Wednesday (Jul 7) for an online protest. The WeChat pages of groups, including Huazhong University of Science and Technology Gay Pride and Peking University's ColorsWorld, had their past posts scrubbed and replaced with a notice stating: "All content has been blocked and the use of the account has been stopped" for violations of unspecified social media regulations. The brief notices said that WeChat had received "complaints" about the pages, while the groups' account names had been changed to "unnamed account" on Tuesday, based on publicly visible account records. Super-app WeChat is China's biggest social media platform, with instant messaging, blogs and other content, as well as the ability to make payments. Chinese social media firms frequently censor content deemed to be politically sensitive or inappropriate, with censors previously targeting LGBT-related content on video streaming apps and in foreign films. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/lgbt-rights-groups-blocked-china-biggest-social-media-app-wechat-15172100

From Khaosod English Facebook Rescue worker Kornsith Laophan, 18, who was killed as he and other volunteers were fleeing flames surging from a store of chemicals. He stumbled and was overtaken by the fire. From Bangkok Post 80,000 impacted by huge blaze At least 80,000 people have been affected by a massive fire that ravaged the Ming Dih Chemical Co factory complex in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan on Monday. The blaze was brought under control briefly on Tuesday only to reignite amid the charred ruins of the factory on Tuesday around 4pm, prompting firefighters to spray flame retardant foam in an attempt to control the latest blaze. Overall, firefighters took more than 24 hours to douse the fire that followed an explosion around 3am on Monday. Provincial governor Wanchai Kongkasem on Tuesday said that the damage from the fire spanned a vast radius around the burned-out factory, causing damage to private property and affecting 80,916 people across four tambons in Bang Phli district. Of the total, 34,736 people in 22,563 households were impacted in tambon Racha Thewa, 18,490 people in 12,363 households in tambon Bang Phli Yai, 23,277 people in 17,188 households in tambon Bang Kaew and 4,413 people in 4,177 households in tambon Bang Chalong. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said the Pollution Control Department needs to ensure the air quality within 3-5km from the fire-gutted factory is safe before residents in the areas were allowed to return home. An initial inspection showed that the air quality within one kilometre of the site was harmful to health on Tuesday. Mr Varawut also noted the factory opened three decades when there was no environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulation in place. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144431/80-000-impacted-by-huge-blaze