reader

Three times. They keep track on your LINE account and send you message after each use. Good value if your in town for a while.

Never claimed that they were.

Should have picked up on that when you switched from Zelensky to Trump. My bad.

You’re a Trump fan, too? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

And an obsessive fan at that.

Sounds like you are quite a fan. 🙂

So did Liberace Liberace and it didn’t hurt his ratings.

Didn’t know Putin had that problem.

Give the man a cigar. Suppose it’s good to keep in mind these are only “guidelines” .

No. Red Dragon closed well before Covid. It’s the lady cocktail bar that followed it that recently closed.

No guarantees, I guess. But I’m amazed how few guys figure out sure fire formula to get repeat business: 1. Be consistent 2. Be cheerful 3. Be affectionate 4. Don’t rush it 5. Don’t expect customers to solve your financial management problems

From Archinect Suvarnabhumi Airport - Midfield Satellite 1 in Bangkok by HOK. Image: © Airports of Thailand The Prix Versailles list of the World's Most Beautiful Airports for 2024 has been announced with six projects earning distinction for their aesthetic qualities and impact on the travel experience of users in five countries. Among the group was luis vidal + architects' vibrant Terminal E expansion at Boston Logan Airport and the renovation of Terminal 2 at Changi Airport in Singapore from BOIFFILS Architectures. Each will next compete against winners in other select categories for the three 2024 World Titles (Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior) whose laureates will be announced at UNESCO Headquarters on December 2nd. "Infrastructure for air travel is evolving, with an increasing awareness of the eminently cultural role that it plays. Because airports are responsible for visitors' first impressions, each one is a poster child for its destination. By showcasing cultural assets, an airport’s design and layout can foster a form of tourism in which travellers are encouraged to be respectful and attentive. Preserving a territory’s heritage resources – natural, cultural and social – is vital to developing sustainable tourism. It is commendable that airport communities are at the heart of these changes," Jérôme Gouadain, the Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, noted in a press announcement. Continues with photos https://archinect.com/news/bustler/10076/prix-versailles-selects-the-world-s-most-beautiful-airports-for-2024

From Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok, 14 November 2024 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises travellers to review the latest guidelines from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on importing health products for personal use. These guidelines are issued to ensure a smooth, hassle-free entry process, whether health products are brought into Thailand or sent by mail, and support Thailand’s commitment to health and safety standards. The FDA provides clear instructions for bringing various health products – including medicines, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices – into Thailand. Tourists are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidelines to ensure compliance and avoid unexpected delays or issues at customs. Carrying Health Products into Thailand Travellers may carry certain health products for personal use, though quantity restrictions and documentation requirements apply: Medicines: A 30-day supply for personal use is allowed, provided the medicines remain in their original packaging and are clearly labelled. If the product is a controlled substance, it must be accompanied by a prescription or doctor’s letter. https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/thailand-fda-issues-traveller-friendly-guidelines-for-importing-personal-health-products

At 12:30 AM on November 14th, 2024, Pattaya police responded to a reported altercation at a massage parlor in Nongprue, where a Korean tourist injured the Thai shop owner and her Korean boyfriend. Ms. Narint, the 43-year-old shop owner, reportedly suffered a dislocated right arm with severe pain, while her unidentified Korean boyfriend sustained facial injuries. The Korean suspect (whose identity was not publicly revealed) was livestreaming in the shop without permission from Narint. According to Narint, the tourist, known as a social media influencer, repeatedly filmed at the shop without asking, including entering a private room with a customer receiving an oil massage. When Narint confronted him and attempted to push his phone away from filming the upset customer, the tourist allegedly threw her to the ground, dislocating her arm. Narint’s Korean boyfriend got involved but was also slightly injured in the altercation. Ms. Narint, the 43-year-old shop owner, reportedly suffered a dislocated right arm with severe pain, while her unidentified Korean boyfriend sustained facial injuries. The Korean suspect (whose identity was not publicly revealed) was livestreaming in the shop without permission from Narint. According to Narint, the tourist, known as a social media influencer, repeatedly filmed at the shop without asking, including entering a private room with a customer receiving an oil massage. When Narint confronted him and attempted to push his phone away from filming the upset customer, the tourist allegedly threw her to the ground, dislocating her arm. Narint’s Korean boyfriend got involved but was also slightly injured in the altercation. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/11/14/korean-tourist-assaults-pattaya-massage-shop-owner-after-livestreaming-argument/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon British pensioners abroad, including Thailand, will soon lose UK banking confidentiality if suspected of cheating on their state pension. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, presently at committee stage in the House of Lords, is expected to come into force early in 2025. It requires British banks and building societies to share with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) the accounts of British citizens, both at home or abroad, where fraud looks likely. The main abuse amongst a small minority of British expats is hiding the fact that they live in countries not eligible to receive annual increases in the state pension. The rules are idiosyncratic as such inflation-linked raises are permitted in some countries (e.g. the EU and the Philippines) but not in others (e.g. Thailand and Australia). Around 500,000 British pensioners live abroad with “frozen” state pensions and the DWP believes that overpayment amounts to 100 million pounds. Miscreants usually keep a UK address for postal contact with DWP even though they are spending all or much of their time abroad. One Thai-based Brit was found out last year when a DWP letter sent to his London address was returned by a neighbour with the comment “Lucky Sod Lives in Pattaya”. Another was exposed after his UK wife found out he was enjoying himself in Bangkok rather than working in Baghdad as she had been mischievously told. The new act will likely show up in computerized data those state pension claimants receiving annual increases who appear (from their bank accounts) to be based in foreign lands. However, the Thailand-based pressure group to end frozen UK pensions pointed out that cheating is a very minor problem. The bigger issues, according to a spokesman, are DWP mistakes in processing claims and the nonsense of discrimination according to which country you happen to live in. Neither the previous Conservative government, nor the incumbent Labour one, has shown any interest in remedying the problem. Another issue of concern to many expats in Thailand is the unreliable international postal system. Every three years, the UK authorities demand a certificate of life (proof you are still alive) to continue payments, but the letters are dispatched by ordinary air mail via an agency in Holland. Many letters are never delivered, leading to suspension of payment when no reply is received. “The whole system is insane and discriminatory,” said Pattaya-based Frank Weston who is 68. He suggested that the paper trail should end and be transferred to a digital system.

I suppose both, but among the veterans it’s a shrinking group who’ve managed to maintain their cheerful attitudes with consistently good service. Lately I find myself seeking out newcomers who, one of whom I as luckily to find this week who immediately got himself added to repeat list. The one thing the repeaters have in common is that they don’t haggle.

The mini lady cocktail bar directly beside stairway that leads to Freshboy has shut down. It sprang up after Covid but never gained much traction. In its previous incarnation, I believe it was known as Red Dragon when it was operated under the management of Freshboy (@goobkk would remember). It was there that myself and others became acquainted with the sexy bartender from Myanmar (Yeye) and the various FB waiters who regularly dropped in between shows, looking for a beer and an off. I met one particular such guy who I offed numerous times. Although it occupied little space, it had a bar, sofa and a few tables. I miss the place and those who used to make it a happy landing spot.

Perhaps Moses is a bit jealous. His president can’t play the piano with any of his extremities and is definitely not cute.

Sure at Foodland but no way from prima donnas at Jupiter.

Give me 200 baht tonight and I promise to smile twice at Foodland walkabout.😀😄

From CNN Travel The train click-clacks along at a steady rhythm, passing through various shades of green. Lush rice fields morph into dense forests, while rivers glisten in the morning sun. The verdant, tropical landscape is briefly interrupted by colorful sparks of life in the form of towns and villages, where people are going about their morning routine — street vendors serving breakfast to commuters, women carrying fresh produce back from the market and kids gathering in their red and white school uniforms. This is the view from the Argo Wilis Panoramic, a bright and airy carriage on the Argo Wilis train. Running between the cities of Surabaya in East Java and Bandung in West Java, it’s one of the most scenic and underrated train journeys in all of Southeast Asia. For some context, Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, home to over 17,000 islands. While boats and planes are typically the main way to travel between each island, on Java, trains are by far the best choice. Stretching 1,064 kilometers from east to west and home to well over half of Indonesia’s population — that’s a whopping 275 million people — it makes sense that the rail network is so extensive and well-used. Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is the country’s national rail company. While there are limited train networks on the islands of Sumatra and Sulawesi, the large majority of them are based in Java, linking all the major cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo and Surabaya. Most of this network was constructed during the Dutch colonial era, which lasted some 350 years. Each train has its own name with its own meaning. “For example, the Argo Wilis is named after a non-active volcano in East Java,” explains a railway guard. “There are other trains named after volcanoes too, as well as historic places and Javanese myths and legends.” Continues at https://edition.cnn.com/travel/indonesia-argo-wilis-panoramic-train-intl-hnk/index.html

Have very good leftie friend who voted for Biden for very same reason (down to earth guy I could have beers with). Being moronic is equal opportunity decision. I wholeheartedly share your frustration with outcome but it’s in rear view mirror now. I have much more important things I want to do in my life than brood on it. As Floridarob and others pointed out, Dems took high road and fell off cliff. They were simply outplayed and outmaneuvered. As for Trump’s appointments, would not be shocked to see some pushback from Senate republicans on some confirmation votes, Gaetz in particular.

From The Nation While the Thai hotel industry is experiencing a rebound in demand in line with the peak tourist season, concerns are growing over increasing competition from foreign businesses. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotel Association (THA), noted that the ongoing confidence index survey revealed regional disparities in concerns, with hotels in central and northern Thailand feeling the strain most acutely. According to a survey conducted by the THA and the Bank of Thailand, around 50% of hoteliers expressed worry about the potential negative impact of foreign investment on the industry. Chinese businesses, in particular, are seen as a significant threat, especially for budget hotels. Meanwhile, higher-end establishments are concerned about the broader implications for Thailand's tourism image. The survey also revealed that hoteliers are anticipating a similar number of Thai tourists in the fourth quarter compared to previous quarters, with a slight uptick expected in the under 3-star segment. Overall, hotel occupancy rates are projected to reach 68% in November 2024, a significant improvement from the previous month. The southern region continues to lead with the highest average occupancy rate at 66.9%, followed by the central region at 63.2%. Foreign tourists, primarily from Asia, the Middle East, China, and Western Europe, are driving the recovery, with a majority of them opting for 4-star and above accommodations. Labour shortage remains a persistent challenge, particularly for higher-end hotels. While this issue is primarily impacting service quality, it has not yet hindered the industry's ability to accommodate guests, the survey revealed. The THA president called on the government to provide further support, such as measures to stimulate domestic tourism, reduce operating costs, address labour shortage, and stabilise the baht. https://www.nationthailand.com/business/property/40043264

From The Thaiger Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is anticipated to launch by February. Alongside this, plans include the establishment of a children’s playground, also targeted for completion by February, and an increase in non-commercial space within the airport terminal by the end of next year, said Kerati. “The introduction of these services is part of a broader strategy to elevate Suvarnabhumi Airport into the top 20 best airports worldwide within the next five years.” Currently, Suvarnabhumi ranks 58th globally according to Skytrax and holds the third position in Southeast Asia, trailing behind Singapore’s Changi and Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airports.

From The Thaiger Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a spine-tingling warning, revealing that terroristsare targeting Israeli holidaymakers at the infamous Full Moon party on Thailand’s tourist haven, Koh Pha Ngan. In a bombshell announcement, the RTP disclosed that they’ve received info indicating a sinister plot to attack Israeli tourists at the island celebration. The party, a hot favourite among Israeli adventurers, coincides with Loy Krathong, Thailand’s enchanting Festival of Lights, set for this Friday, November 15. In an all-out bid to thwart any potential attack, Thai police are ramping up security, with roadblocks and intensive operations launched across the island. RTP insiders claim this isn’t mere scaremongering, insisting there’s hard evidence behind the terror threat targeting Israelis. A security chief in Israel confirmed that despite RTP’s internal memo, steps are being taken to handle the situation. An announcement from Israel’s National Security Council is anticipated at any moment.