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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
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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.
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But nevertheless still factual 🙂
- JimmyJoe and Marc in Calif
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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.
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- Marc in Calif and 10tazione
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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.
- Marc in Calif, khaolakguy and Boy69
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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.
- vinapu, Ruthrieston, Marc in Calif and 1 other
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- Popular Post
- Popular Post
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.
Â- KeepItReal, tm_nyc, Ruthrieston and 2 others
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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.
- tm_nyc, vinapu and Marc in Calif
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From Thailand News Agency
The acting national police chief has signed an order to suspend Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn and four subordinates from police duties following criminal proceedings.
All five officers are suspected of being involved in money laundering linked to a gambling network. Pol. Gen. Surachate had earlier his legal team reschedule his meeting with the police investigators on the case at the Tao Poon police station for April 27.
Acting national police chief Pol.Gen. Kitrat Panphet on Thursday met the prime minister at Government House before he later disclosed that he had signed the suspension order for Pol. Gen. Surachate and his four subordinates.
The Prime Minister must be informed as he earlier issued the order for Pol. Gen. Surachate to perform duties at the Prime Minister’s Office, said the acting police chief.
However, he said Pol. Gen. Surachate has the right to appeal this order according to the law.
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1 hour ago, gerefan said:6 hours ago, Olddaddy said:Wasn’t impressed at all. Only visited one gay bar. Was reasonable on the first night but the next night was a weekend and you could only just get in.
And that's a bad thing?
1 hour ago, gerefan said:My friend got ripped off in a taxi twice. Charged him 10 times the price
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If, for example, the legit fare should have been $10 that would equate to 254,314 VN Dong
Ten times that would be 2,543,140 VN Dong. And your friend didn't think that was out of line? And then paid it a second time?
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You can eat pad kaprow and flush warm water up your derrière?
As my grandmother would say, this is going beyond the beyonds.
Floridarob, as recording secretary, suggest you put this on agenda for confab you suggested in Thailand and Vietnam thread.
- vinapu, 10tazione and floridarob
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Don't know what "IG" or "repping" means but that's probably due to age gap.
Messy? Hope you don't mean like expanded version of water sports.
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From Thai PBS World
Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is ranked at 58 in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024, an improvement from last year’s 68th placing.
The international airport ranking website places Doha Hamad Airport at the top of the list. Singapore Changi, last year’s winner, dropped to second place this year.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) adds that their satellite terminal one (SAT-1) received 4 stars this year, for the architecture, cleanliness, overall atmosphere, facilities and automation.
These automatic systems include check-ins terminals, bag drop, self-boarding gates and the passenger validation system.
While Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is aiming for Thailand to become a regional aviation hub, the current per-passenger duration for international in-bound processing at Suvarnabhumi Airport is 26 minutes and 37 minutes per out-bound passenger.
Meanwhile, the time taken for domestic arrivals is 15 minutes per passenger and 25 minutes per passenger for departures.
Don Mueang International Airport is ranked tenth among the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Terminals. The rankings are based on traveller questionnaires conducted from August 2023 to March 2024.
View full list:
https://www.worldairportawards.com/a-z-airport-awards-winners-2024/
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- tm_nyc and Marc in Calif
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It was conceived by those in power to remain in power. And so far it's been quite successful.
- vinapu and Marc in Calif
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From the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Inhalant abusers risk an array of other devastating medical consequences. The highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to fatal heart failure within minutes of a session of prolonged sniffing. This syndrome, known as "sudden sniffing death," can result from a single session of inhalant use by an otherwise healthy young person. Sudden sniffing death is associated particularly with the abuse of butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols. Inhalant abuse also can cause death by—
- asphyxiation — from repeated inhalations that lead to high concentrations of inhaled fumes, which displace available oxygen in the lungs;
- suffocation — from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head;
- convulsions or seizures — from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain;
- coma — from the brain shutting down all but the most vital functions;
- choking — from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use; or
- fatal injury — from accidents, including motor vehicle fatalities, suffered while intoxicated.
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5 hours ago, roughjock said:
...give it some time to work out the kinks.Â
To some, that's the attraction.
- vinapu, Mateo_37 and floridarob
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Sounds more like the non-European Union.
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From Global Construction Review
Cambodia will start work this year on a controversial plan to dig a 180km canal to link Phnom Penh to the sea, The Star newspaper reports.Â
The Funan Techo canal, which is expected to cost $1.7bn, will link the capital to the country’s only deepwater port at Sihanoukville and a new port at Kampot.
China Road and Bridge Corporation, a subsidiary of China Communications, will build it over four years.
Wesley Holzer, a public diplomacy officer at the US embassy in Phnom Penh, said the Cambodian people, along with people in neighbouring countries, would “benefit from transparency on any major undertaking with potential implications for regional water management, agricultural sustainability, and security”.
Vietnam has expressed concern about the impact of the canal on the fragile ecology of the Mekong basin and is also reported to be concerned that it will allow Chinese navy ships to approach its territory.
- tm_nyc and Marc in Calif
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From Pattaya News
The brand new Pattaya beachfront market, Chang Beach Street Food, is throwing a splashy Songkran party to celebrate its grand opening!
Chang Beach Street Food is a new Thai-styled market in the vibrant city of Pattaya, offering over 200 shop booths overflowing with delicious food and unique finds. The market is situated near Pattaya Soi 6, and it is open everyday from 4:00 PM to midnight, with ample parking to ease your visit.
From April 17th to 19th, the market will also host a special three-day event called “STAR WATER Songkran Party” to celebrate its grand opening.
This event features featuring more than 10 of Thailand’s top artists and DJs taking the stage. Tickets for the event are 100 baht, with gates opening at 6:00 PM each night.
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From Thai PBS World
After the 250 junta-appointed senators complete their five-year term on May 10, they will be replaced by a 200-member Senate elected from thousands of candidates via a complex voting system that excludes full public participation.
Over 210,000 people have informed the Election Commission (EC) that they wish to run for election to the Senate, and the EC expects at least 100,000 candidates to contest.
However, the six rounds of voting required – two each at the district, provincial and national levels – means all 200 seats in the Upper House will not be filled until mid-July.
Critics describe the selection system as defined in the 2018 Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators as “the most complicated in the world”. They say that without a national election by all eligible voters, the system will end up selecting senators who represent the applicants rather than the respective occupational groups as intended by the Constitution drafters.
In the interim, the current senators – who are prohibited by the Constitution from seeking another term – will take caretaker roles after their term expires, although they can no longer vote with MPs to select a new prime minister.
Under the current Constitution, in force since April 2017, the Senate consists of 200 members selected by and among “persons having the knowledge, expertise, experience, profession, or characteristics or common interests or working or having worked in varied areas of the society”. However, the charter’s transitory provisions state that during the first five years of the first Parliament, the Senate shall comprise 250 members appointed by the King upon the advice of the junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Continues at
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From Thai PBS World
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will step down next month and his deputy Lawrence Wong will take over, the second non-member of the Lee family to lead the wealthy nation.
“I will relinquish my role as Prime Minister on 15 May 2024 and DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) Lawrence Wong will be sworn in as the next Prime Minister on the same day,” Lee said on social media on Monday.
Wong, who is also the finance minister, was chosen as Lee’s heir-apparent in 2022 from a new generation of lawmakers from the People’s Action Party (PAP) which has ruled uninterrupted since independence in 1965.
“I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty. I pledge to give you my all in this undertaking,” Wong said on social media.
The 51-year-old, US-educated economist is widely seen as a social media-savvy stalwart who effectively handled the Covid-19 crisis when he oversaw the government’s pandemic taskforce.
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Massage shops on Sutthisan Winitchai Rd.
in Gay Thailand
Posted
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. 🙂