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From VN Express Restructuring and recalls have left Vietnamese airlines with access to around 40 fewer planes than they had at this time last year, struggling to meet travel demand. A representative of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said on Tuesday that the number of commercially active planes utilized by the country's six airlines was only 170 by the last week of March, a drop of around 40 planes compared to the same period in 2023. Major restructuring initiatives currently being carried out, resulting in reductions in company scale -- including in decreased numbers of available pilots, crew and other staff – been identified as a main driver in the decreasing numbers of aircraft. Bamboo Airways previously had 28 planes, and now the carrier is only utilizing 9 aircraft as it follows through on its ongoing plan to return all of its Embraer E190 aircraft. Pacific Airlines have also returned all six of Airbus 320 planes as part of its flight crew restructuring plan. Starting from this year, U.S. aerospace manufacturer Pratt&Whitney had to recall its engines due to manufacturer errors. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air had around 40 planes using the recalled engine, so those aircraft were suspended for the 2024-2025 period for maintenance. The drop in the number of commercial planes has caused several domestic air routes to launch fewer and less frequent flights. Bamboo Airways has halted several international and domestic air routes that were employing the Embraer E190. Such routes include important flights from the capital of Hanoi in the north to Hue and Dong Hoi in the central region, as well as Con Dao and Ca Mau in the south. Major flights from HCMC to Dong Hoi and Con Dao have also been canceled. Fewer planes now means it's tougher for domestic airlines to serve travelers, especially as the Reunification Day holiday (April 30) and summer holidays approach, when travel demand is expected to rise by 5-7% compared to the same period last year. Ticket prices will also increase as a result.

Or rent room at One Spa for 24 hours (1,000), avail yourself of "buffet" benefit (400) and have mamasan send you new boy every hour (24,000). Another option would be to try a sauna. 39 Underground in Saphan Kwai might fill the bill nicely and it wouldn't cost you anything more than price of admission.

The other shops on the road regularly post photo arrays. Here's one today from KK Massage: And another from nearby Home Spa:

Be sure to bring sufficient cash to cover all costs of your wet adventure. May initially seem like a lot but not bad to satisfy unfulfilled fantasy. 500 bht entry fee (your drink comes with it) 1,000 bht for room 10,000 bht in off fees for (20 x 500) 40,000 bht in tips (20 x 2,000) 1,000 bht for sundries from 7-Eleven (beer, etc) _______________________________ 52,500 bht total * * add 10,000 bht if you buy each boy a drink in bar

From Pattaya News At 3:00 PM, on March 25th, 2024, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the deputy police commander, performed an inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport regarding Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s orders to improve the service quality and time. Upon the inspection, Suvarnabhumi immigration officers were found to have reduced average passport control time on arrival from 45 seconds to 30 seconds as the scan boarding pass processing was excluded. Moreover, automatic channels on departure were updated with new versions and improved technology and performance, reducing average time of processing from 40 seconds to 20 seconds, according to Thai national media. It was reported that Suvarnabhumi officers promised the biometric system would not crash like the previous time. However, during rush hours, it could cause an overflowing number of passengers as more than 4,000 to 5,000 passengers landed at nearly the same time while the passenger terminal had a capacity for only 2,000 passengers. The airport officers on break were ordered to support the checkpoints during rush hours in order to facilitate th processing, according to Thai national media. Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport employed more than 200 officers and planned to increase its staff by 330 more positions which was believed to be sufficient for a large number of passengers, according to Thai national media.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Thailand is riding high on its new visa-exempt policy which allows most international tourists to enter the country without prior approval or payment of a fee. China, India, Russia, the UK, EU, US, Australia, Asean partners and a bunch of other countries all currently have the privilege for a 30 days free tourist entry (90 in the case of Russia and South Korea). With overall numbers now almost at pre-covid levels, over 85 percent of actual arrivals at Thailand’s airports are covered by the visa-free policy. Meanwhile, Cambodia still imposes a US$30 entry tax on almost all international tourist arrivals, the exceptions being neighboring states. This means that even Cambodia’s biggest short-haul market – the Chinese – all have to pay the tax for a maximum of 30 days stay. The Cambodian premier Hun Manet frequently boasts that once the newly-opened Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the under-construction Phnom Penh Takhmao International Airport are fully operational in 2025, Chinese arrivals will swell further. The fly in the ointment could be the strong possibility that Thailand could have legal casinos in operation within two years. The opposition to that notion is now much weaker than, say, 10 years ago. But Daniel Li, a gaming expert and senior consultant to the Cambodian regulator Naga, says the Phnom Penh government needs to introduce a visa-exempt policy now to anticipate stiff competition from Thailand. “After Covid, we have seen a sharp drop in flights and arrivals,” said Mr Li. “ If a visa-free policy is introduced between, initially, Cambodia and China, we can expect more visitors coming from the world’s second-most populous country.” Based on data from NagaCorp’s annual financial results, direct flights from the Greater China region to Cambodia have only recovered 26 percent compared with 2019. The pressures on Cambodia to abandon its tourist entry free structure on a wider scale are growing anyway. The Thai premier Srettha Thavisin is busy promoting the idea of a mini-Schengen regional agreement whereby international holidaymakers will be able to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam without additional documentation once they have an initial entry stamp to any one of these five partners. Cambodia’s current US$30 entry fee is a significant obstacle in the way of freedom to travel across the Asean region. The prospect of casino gambling in Thailand could be the significant arm twister on Phom Penh.

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Lower House approved the final reading of the landmark marriage equality bill today, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia, and the third country in Asia, to recognise same-sex marriage, once it passes the Senate. The bill, which seeks to amend the Civil and Commercial Code, was approved by 400 votes to 10, with two abstentions and three MPs who decided not to vote. Danuporn Punnakan, Pheu Thai list MP and chair of the House scrutiny committee, told parliament that the bill is meant for all Thais, irrespective of gender. Under the bill, same-sex couples who want to get engaged or married must be at least 18 years old, to protect minors from being forced into marriage, which is in line with the convention on the protection of the rights of children, said Danuporn. He also said that the House scrutiny committee had added one provision to the bill, specifying the rights, duties and legal status of same-sex couples in the creation of a family. He assured that the existing rights of men and women in general will not be affected by this bill, but it will protect a certain group of people, classified as LGBTQ. He said that a minority of the House scrutiny committee had proposed a new wording, “first parents”, to be added to the bill, but this was rejected by the majority of the committee on the grounds that the wording is new and there is no legal definition yet. The Pheu Thai MP said that it is now widely recognised that there are more than the male and female genders in societies, as some people who were born as a boy or a girl want to choose their own gender when they grow up. The bill does not give them any additional rights, but restores their basic rights, said Danuporn, adding that the bill will mark the beginning of the creation of equality in Thai society. The bill has to be approved by the Senate before it becomes law. In Asia, Taiwan and Nepal already have the same laws.

The court's sleight of hand ensured that the government escapes any responsibility. But that still doesn't explain why the RTP keeps the perp on the force.

By any measure you're one happy recipient because 5 tablespoons equals 0.3125 cups.🙂

Kostik consults his unimpeachable source of information.

NOTE -- This article begs the question: why is the cop still a member of the force (see final paragraph)? From The Nation The Civil Court has ordered a police officer to pay 27.3 million baht to the parents of an eye doctor he hit and killed at a Bangkok zebra crossing in 2022. The court ruled that Police Lance Corporal Norawich Buadok was solely responsible for the death of Dr Waraluck Supawatjariyakul, as it dismissed the lawsuit against the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as an entity. The late doctor’s parents filed a lawsuit against the RTP and the cop for 72 million baht compensation on February 17, 2022. About a month earlier, on January 21, Norawich had been riding a red Ducati big bike when he slammed into ophthalmologist Waraluck as she was crossing the road in front of Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital on Phya Thai Road. Waralak’s parents, Dr Anirut Supawatjariyakul and Ratchanee Supawatjariyakul, named RTP as the first defendant and Norawich as the second defendant in the civil lawsuit. The lawsuit demanded that the RTP and Norawich jointly pay 537,505 baht for funeral expenses and 72.27 million baht for the parents’ caring costs. The lawsuit said that RTP should share responsibility for the tragedy as it was the commanding agency of Norawich and should have taught him not to breach traffic laws, speed through a zebra crossing or use a motorcycle that violates the law on various counts. The lawsuit also said it was RTP’s duty to manage traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians. The court, however, disagreed, saying that Norawich was the sole person responsible for the doctor’s death. Also, it said, Norawich’s direct commanders were responsible for his behaviour, and they had taken all the steps necessary to ensure he observed traffic laws. The court also said it was the local administration’s duty to oversee traffic management, not the duty of RTP. The court awarded 331,230 baht as funeral costs and a compensation of 13.5 million baht to each parent. It the compensation was calculated based on the parents’ potential lifespan and the money the doctor would have earned if she were still alive. The parents are now both 64 years old and the court believes they will live for at least another 15 years. The court has also ordered Norawich to pay a 5% per annum interest on all three amounts from January 21, 2022, until the entire compensation has been paid off. In January this year, the Appeals Court also took a tough stance against the accused. Norawich had initially been sentenced to just one year and 15 days, but on Wednesday, the Appeals Court increased his sentence to 10 years and two months in response to an appeal filed by Waraluck’s family. The RTP announced that if the Supreme Court retains a guilty verdict, he will be fired from police service.

Why just 4-star hotels? From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Wage Committee decided today to increase minimum wages to 400 baht for employees working in 4-star hotels which have at least 50 employees, located in specific areas in 10 provinces, effective from April 13th. The specific areas are: Bangkok: Only for hotels located in Pathumwan and Wattana districts. Krabi province: Only in areas under the jurisdiction of Ao Nang Tambon Administrative Organisation. Chon Buri province: Only in Pattaya City. Chiang Mai: Only in Chiang Mai municipal area. Prachuap Khiri Khan: only in Hua Hin municipal area. Phang-nga: On in Kirk Kak municipal area. Phuket province. Rayong: Only in Ban Phe sub-district. Songkhla: Only in Hat Yai municipal area. Surat Thani: Only on Koh Samui. The Wage Committee said that the tourism industry is important to the Thai economy and the ten provinces have earned substantial revenues from tourism, adding that its decision is based on the opinions of all stakeholders, especially those of employers and employees in the hotel sector.

Certainly no hated in your messages, Caustic.😘

Just as every customer is different so is every masseur. Some are aggressive and will make the first move by grazing your genitals. Others may position their crotch within easy reach. Shy ones may wait for you to make the first move. Again, be flexible: there are no hard rules of engagement. As for haggling, if you're in a shop with minimum tip there is no haggling. You and masseur already agree what tip will be. In shop with no minimum, Vinapu's recommendation (and I believe I recall it correctly) is the best advice I've heard on the matter. Guy asks "what you give me?" You say X baht. He asks for more. You make one--and only one--counter offer (which may or may not be your original figure). He either accepts or declines. It shouldn't be like negotiating over the price of a carpet in a suk in Marrakesh. Go into this relaxed and confident. It's surprisingly easy to get from A to B. Hopefully nothing will come up that you can't handle.

From Pattaya News Pattaya is set to host an extraordinary spectacle to celebrate the kickoff of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, with a dazzling Drone Light Show. The event, organized by Terminal 21 Pattaya, promises to be a great way to kick off April and the 21 days of Songkran events around the country from April 1st to the 21st. Event Highlights: – 300 drones will take to the skies, forming dynamic ‘Songkran themed’ patterns and narrating stories high above North Pattaya. – The show will commence at 8:00 p.m. on March 29th and 30th, 2024, amidst a vibrant food festival featuring over 70 stalls. – A special treat for music lovers, the event will feature aerial performances synced to the tunes of four renowned bands. Venue & Time: – Dates: March 29th – 30th, 2024 – Location: Aircraft Area, Terminal 21 Shopping Center, Pattaya – Time: Shows begin at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

From Thai PBS World No less than four draft laws on alcohol control will soon go before Parliament, but none appear to contain a middle path that will satisfy everyone. Two drafts, one proposed by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department (DCD) and the other by an anti-alcohol group, push for strict control – apparently out of concern about health and other impacts of drinking. The two other drafts, one written by a pro-alcohol group and the other by Move Forward MP and craft-beer champion Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, seek to break monopoly-like conditions in the industry, which is dominated by just a handful of brewing giants. Along with these, the government’s eight-point recommendation will also join the fray. Strict rules Since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act was enacted in 2008, Thailand has ranked among countries with tight restrictions on the advertising, sale and consumption of booze. This Act outlaws any form of advertising that displays, directly or indirectly, an alcoholic beverage’s brand or trademark. Displaying even a picture of a glass of beer can result in a hefty fine. “I’ve heard that one restaurant was fined close to 1 million baht once,” said Asst Prof Dr Charoen Charoenchai, a lecturer at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology. Charoen, who leads the group behind one of the draft laws to liberalize alcohol, believes authorities have tightened control until there is almost no room to breathe. “I don’t think this Alcohol Beverage Control Law is normal since it authorizes the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to add new stipulations.” “Normally, legal changes should come from the legislature,” the lecturer said. Rumors suggest the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is planning to tag packaging with pictures depicting the dangers of alcohol consumption. More power to control consumption? Charoen said that if the DCD’s draft becomes law, authorities and officials will be handed inappropriate powers. For instance, officials will have the power to search and inspect breweries or retailers selling alcohol without a search warrant. There is concern that this will also open the door to corruption and harassment by unscrupulous officials. “After looking through the drafts presented by the DCD and the anti-alcohol group, I can tell that their content is extreme. It’s as if they intend to ban any public mention of alcohol,” Charoen said. The DCD draft would also raise the ceiling of penalties for an offending manufacturer or importer from Bt500,000 to Bt1 million and up to one year in jail, or both. Too strict? Charoen said such a strict approach would affect the freedom and rights to earn a livelihood of many. Businesses that rely on tourists, for instance, were uncomfortable about scary pictures being attached to the packaging of alcoholic drinks, he explained. He said the strict law even affects his own field of education; though he teaches about the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, the law stops him from openly sharing his knowledge with his students. “I can’t talk about content that can be useful, even though as a lecturer, I should be serving the public with my academic knowledge,” he said. “Similarly, manufacturers can’t communicate about their products with consumers either.” Supapong Puenglampu, who represents small-scale liquor manufacturers, lamented that despite having the license to produce liquor and meeting all manufacturing standards and hygiene requirements, alcohol producers like him still face many problems under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. “If we try to present product information, our action is seen as encouraging drinking. How can we sell our product without explaining what makes it different from others?” He said that though small and local producers need to display their local identity, displaying a trademark or an emblem can land them in trouble. “Small manufacturers like us are summoned to court. If we can’t afford a court battle, we end up having to pay a fine at the Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.” Draft laws on liberalizing alcohol The draft law pushed by the Charoen-led group hopes Thailand will allow alcoholic beverages to be sold from vending machines, in shops near universities and through round-the-clock promotional campaigns. The draft proposed by the Move Forward MP is along the same lines. For instance, it would lift the restriction on the sale of alcohol during certain hours and allow people to drink where they want, including public parks and educational institutions. Government recommendations Believing that all four drafts represent extreme ends of the debate, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked PM’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej to come up with recommendations for Parliament to consider alongside the quartet. The eight-point recommendation, which has already won a Cabinet nod, seeks to ease tight controls on alcohol consumption in Thailand. For instance, it advocates the sale of alcohol at hotels or venues located near schools, as well as at stadiums and concert halls. It also suggests that the ban on selling alcohol through vending machines be lifted and promotions and discounts be allowed. Too lenient? Theera Watcharapranee, director of Stop-Drink Network Thailand, said the eight-point recommendation would weaken the country’s alcohol controls and favor alcohol-based businesses including pubs and bars. “The people will pay the price if you only please investors and businesses,” he warned. “If the consumption of alcohol rises, you will see more fatal road accidents from drunk driving.” According to the National Statistical Office, the number of alcohol drinkers in Thailand has dropped by 2% since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act took effect in 2008. The percentage of total road-accident casualties hospitalized by drunk driving during Thailand’s infamous “7 dangerous days” over the Songkran and New Year holidays has also dropped, from 40% to 26%. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act won 13 million signatures of support, including Theera’s, before it was enforced. Assoc Prof Dr Udomsak Saengow from Walailak University said the alcohol-control law was, in fact, beneficial, but the people in power are too preoccupied with the idea of liberalizing the industry to recognize the law’s benefits.

Thank you for self-eliminating.

If you're looking to boost the likelihood that you're going to find your preference (which in your case is a bottom), no massage shops I'm aware of do a better job of displaying photos and information that will help you in your search. Two stand out in this regard: One Spa and KK Massage. One Spa offers close to 300 and the website allows you to search exclusively for bottoms if you wish.. As for accuracy of photos, I've found that generally they accurately reflect what you'll get. However, the guys with lower numbers tend to have pre-covid pics. Also they have a tendency to air brush the complexion of some boys to make them appear lighter than they actually are. This is because local taste like a paler skin color. This is particularly true of clients visiting from the north (Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China). Many westerners on the other hand prefer darker complexion more common for those from Thailand's northeast and some ASEAN countries. Be flexible and considerate.There is much waiting to delight you in Thailand.

Look for envelope in upper right corner when signed in.

Doesn’t mean you can’t try 🙂

Five minutes you’ll not soon forget 👌

From UNESCO UNESCO and partners’ ongoing project ‘Achieving Sustainable Tourism with Intangible Cultural Heritage and Creative City Network in Waterway Cities of ASEAN’—it has already convened three dynamic seminars benefitting thousands of tourism professionals since its launch in September 2023 — is pleased to announce its upcoming, fourth installment in its South-East Asia seminar series, ‘Pattaya & Sustainable Festival and Event Tourism: Exploring Strategies for Growth and Development’. The hybrid seminar, to be held 10 April 2024, will focus on Thailand’s coastal city of Pattaya as a special case study for the potential to be had in fostering dynamic networks of tourism businesses in the ASEAN sub-region. Following keynote presentations, a panel discussion will explore the cultural significance of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the role of hotels in driving sustainable festival and event tourism; and standards and efforts of various organisations in supporting sustainable events and festivals. Panelists include: Dr Chumpol Musiganont, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration-DASTA (Public Organization) Mr Jongrak Rojpalasatean, Director of the Management System Certification Institute (MASCI) Ms Urai Mukpradabthong, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Office in Pattaya Ms Alisa Phanthusak Kunpalin, Managing Director of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Webinar Details Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 Time: 13.20–15.50, Bangkok time (GMT+7) Location: Amari Pattaya Hotel For on-site participation, please pre-register at: https://bit.ly/SongkranICH For online participation, please pre-register at: UNESCO’s Zoom

From The Thaiger Egyptian man damages Phuket taxi in violent outburst An Egyptian traveller was taken into protective custody at a hospital following a violent outburst which caused significant damage to a taxi in Bang Tao, Phuket, yesterday. The taxi driver, 53 year old Suriya Plodmai reported to the police that he had picked up the 31 year old Egyptian national, Basem Aly Ismail, from the Patong area and was ferrying him to Bang Tao, with the fare agreed at 450 baht. Upon reaching the destination, Ismail borrowed Suriya’s mobile phone to make a call to a friend. However, after using the phone, he refused to return it to the driver. In a sudden fit of anger, the Egyptian smashed the borrowed phone onto another phone that the taxi driver was holding, resulting in both devices, a Xiaomi 12 and a Samsung A54, being damaged. The rage did not end there. Ismail then used an iron rod to vandalise the taxi cab. The damage included a shattered windshield, broken windows, and a damaged rear windshield, with additional damage to surrounding areas of the vehicle. Emergency services from Cherng Talay Municipality arrived at the scene and took the Egyptian, who was still in an agitated state, to Thalang Hospital. Later, he was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, reported Phuket News.

From Thai PBS World The 42nd annual Thailand Tourism 2024, curated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), promises to enchant with diverse activities across nine captivating zones. From March 28 to April 1, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center will transform into a hub of excitement and celebration, drawing travel enthusiasts and fans of all things Thai into the vibrant world of tourism promotion, a culture showcase, and a crafts and food extravaganza. Visitors are encouraged to use the MRT underground to the QSNCC Station or taxi or Bus No. 136 to participate in the Thailand Tourism Festival 2024, from 28 March to 1 April, from 10-00-21.00 Hrs. Entrance is free.