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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.

There's nothing that's not factual about the statement. It's simply doesn't contain all the historical data you'd like to see incorporated.

Not safe,I agree, and I wouldn't tolerate such close contact for any more than an hour....maybe two.🙂

From The Thaiger A transgender village head and her boyfriend allegedly yesterday committed suicide in a car parked outside a 7-Eleven convenience store in the central province of Ratchaburi. A 7-Eleven member of staff, Thatsaya Saetang, contacted Ban Pong Police Station officers at about 4pm yesterday, April 18 after she found the people unconscious in the car. Thatsaya explained that she noticed a white Toyota Fortuner parked in front of the store for about 20 minutes without anyone getting out. Then, she heard the engine revving up twice, which raised her suspicion. Thatsaya found the act suspicious and went to check on it. She looked through the car window and found both the driver and passenger unconscious inside. The driver was identified as the transgender village leader of Suan Kluay sub-district, 45 year old Phongsak Buakham. The passenger, believed to be her boyfriend, was identified as 45 year old Suppasate Suppasak-anan. Police and medical professionals from Ban Pong Hospital arrived at the scene and forcibly entered the vehicle. Phongsak and Suppasate were unconscious and bleeding from their noses and mouths. They were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead upon arrival. The superintendent of the Ban Pong Police Station, Piyaphong Wongkatejai, speculated that the couple might have committed suicide by consuming toxic substances, as their skin had turned dark and they were bleeding from their noses and mouths. Relationship and business issues were cited as possible motives for the suicide. Piyaphong mentioned that Phongsak’s father had formerly held the position of village head. Subsequently, Thatsaya became part of the local administrative team and was appointed as the village head for eight years. The family was well regarded in the Suan Kluay sub-district due to their charitable endeavours and support for the community.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The highpoint of the British addiction to Thailand was the year 2011 when there were almost 900,000 entries by British passport holders. The information was from the Thai immigration bureau, though it was likely a slight overestimate as it counted re-entries by the same person as additional individuals. These days the bureau sadly does not publish data in the same detailed way country by country. Meanwhile, another useful statistical source, the UK government’s shock annual report British Behaviour Abroad, was discontinued several years ago. Maybe it provided too many salacious stories about sex, drugs and awful traffic accidents. The number of Brits declined in the mid-2020s to about half the 2011 totals. In spite of the covid pandemic, the international tourist numbers in Thailand are now approaching the 2019 figure of almost 40 million according to the Tourist Authority of Thailand. However, the principal recruiting grounds are now China, Russia and India whose nationals are no longer required to obtain prior visas. According to the Board of Investment, Brits have shown little interest in longstay visas such as the newish 10-year Long Term Residence which encourages the well-heeled to make a base in Thailand. The decline in British tourist numbers to Thailand has several roots. There’s stiff competition from eastern Europe and sun-baked rivals in south east Asia. The rising cost of international air fares and immigration bureaucracy, notably the TM30 residence form which can carry a financial penalty if ignored may also be factors. Almost daily reports of Brits being arrested and jailed in Thailand and disturbing stories about the non-insured facing huge bills after a traffic accident surely play a role. The notion that Thailand is the Wild West where anything goes, assuming it was once true, is now buried six feet under. The 2011 statistics showed there were around 60,000 Brits living in Thailand for most or all of the year. The UK Institute for Public Policy recently estimated the number at only 41,000 in 2024. For working expats, the opportunities in traditional industries such as oil and gas are smaller, whilst the Japanese and the Chinese are the dominant foreign presence in newer industries such as car manufacture and industrial estates. Working without a permit and using illegal Thai nominees in businesses these days are risky lifestyles with ongoing surveillance by police and employment officials. British retirees have long been a feature of the expat population in Thailand, but their numbers are also in decline. Inflationary pressures, not to mention the high cost of inpatient hospital care, are significant issues especially as some British pensions – including the state one – are frozen from annual increases. Expat clubs in Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai have been dominated of late by talk of the Thai Revenue policy to tax “assessable” foreign income with complaining British voices being amongst the loudest. Social media is abundant with English-speaking expats threatening to leave Thailand for pastures new in Cambodia, Vietnam or the Philippines where the tax authorities are, it is hoped, more indulgent. It certainly does look like the British love affair with Thailand is losing its magic.

From The Thaiger The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) anticipates the closure of the final chapters in the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway’s first phase, reveals Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Spanning 251 kilometres and boasting a staggering budget of 179.4 billion baht, the ambitious project links the bustling heart of Bangkok to the vibrant cityscape of Nakhon Ratchasima. Divided into 14 meticulously crafted contracts, only two remain awaiting the stroke of the pen, said Surapong. “Contract No. 4-5, tasked with the 13.3 kilometre Ban Pho–Phra Kaeo section in Ayutthaya, is on the cusp of fruition with a budget of 9.9 billion baht. Pending only the completion of a heritage impact assessment (HIA) report on the proposed Ayutthaya station.” Surapong reveals further that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy is poised to submit the HIA report to Unesco imminently. “Approval is anticipated, given the scrutiny by the UN agency throughout the HIA process. The railway and station, strategically planned away from Ayutthaya’s World Heritage site, should encounter no hurdles.” Meanwhile, Contract No. 4-1 hangs in the balance, tethered to a 15.2-kilometre segment between Bang Sue and Don Muang in Bangkok. Originally envisioned as part of the high-speed railway network linking three major airports, its fate rests on the Board of Investment’s (BoI) impending decision, reported Bangkok Post. “Without BoI’s green light by May 22, alternative routes beckon. SRT might seize the reins solely for the Bang Sue-Don Muang stretch, a crucial lifeline to salvage the project’s punctuality.” Amidst delays plaguing the venture since its 2015 inception, the finish line now glimmers on the horizon: 2028.