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Read this book about the tunnels war that examines them from perspective on both sides from men and women who fought in them.

Tips given to them during dance routines. Don’t be surprised if they physically invite you to do impromptu dance with them! Tips from socializing with customer at table. commission on drinks customer buys for them. personally I spent about 2K in tips over three hour period last night and another 2K for drinks and my share of bottle. Evivalent to drinks, off fee and tips at many bars but I had a much better experience. Can’t afford to do that every night but the atmosphere worked for me and two other forum members. We all left with terrific memories of those sweaty bodies clinging to us. But you don’t have to be active participant. You can chose just to buy reasonably priced drink on observe the action.

Time for you to get down on Earth and report back.🙂

“Run it up the flagpole”

From CNBC A federal appeals court on Friday cited national security concerns as it upheld a law requiring China-based ByteDance to sell the popular social media app TikTok next month or face an effective ban in the United States. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., rejected TikTok’s argument that the law is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment rights of the 170 million Americans who use the app. TikTok said later Friday that it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the appeals court decision. If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok by Jan. 19, the law would require app store companies, such as Apple and Google, and internet hosting providers to stop supporting TikTok, which would effectively ban the app. “Today’s decision is an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponizing TikTok to collect sensitive information about millions of Americans, to covertly manipulate the content delivered to American audiences, and to undermine our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement.

What happens in Hi Club stays in Hi Club. 🙂

Thanks for info. What did you think of your Phoenix experience?

If you share my bias for Twinks and twunks, IMNSHO you won’t do better than Freshboy. The guys actually make eye contact and smile freely. Number 25 is clearly the star of rotation with a great cast of others to keep your eyes glued to the stage. The acts are well done and LB lip syncing good and infrequent. The attention here is clearly focused on the boys. AC at comfortable level and no smoking. You will have more than your share of fun here.

While walking along back from Phoenix shop yesterday with forum member, we passed “Hi Club,” an all-male host bar on Sutthisan Winitchai Rd. It was still early but we opened door and took Quick Look inside where we saw three shirtless guys preparing for the evening.

From The Nation Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet Air is launching a recruitment campaign for cadet pilots in collaboration with Bangkok Aviation Center Plc (BAC), offering a comprehensive training programme to develop qualified professional commercial airline pilots. Twenty Thai pilots will be selected for training and working with the airline and applications for the first batch of cadet pilots will open in February next year, Thai Vietjet CEO Woranate Laprabang said on Friday. The programme will be expanded to accept 40 cadets by the second quarter of 2025, he said. Under the programme, BAC will be responsible for the training of Commercial Pilot License, while Thai Vietjet will handle the aircraft type rating training. Upon successful completion of the course, the students will have a guaranteed employment as First Officer of Thai Vietjer’s commercial jetliners.

From The Nation No plans to increase VAT to 15%, Paetongtarn assures citizens Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday denied reports that the government intended to raise value-added tax (VAT) to 15%, taking to social media to address public concerns. She said that she had discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, along with the PM’s policy advisory team. She reassured the public that VAT will not be increased to 15% and that the Finance Ministry was studying reform of the tax structure with a comprehensive and fair approach to reduce inequality and enhance the country's competitiveness. Tax reform in other countries has been a gradual process, often taking more than 10 years to study and implement effectively, she posted. The government’s primary policy is to reduce public expenditure, improve government efficiency, and create opportunities to generate new income for citizens, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of life for all Thai people, she said. "Rest assured, fellow citizens, that the government operates with prudence, listens to all stakeholders, and prioritises the welfare of the people to drive our nation forward for everyone," Paetongtarn concluded in the post. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/policy/40043917

High season drives the demand from tourists for Thai currency that props up the baht. But this reflects seasonal fluctuations in strength and weakness. As for deeper, underlying economic issues, your suspicions may be justified. The governments (former and present) have been pulling out all the stops to boost tourism and view it as panacea to revenue. it’s a tricky balancing act for sure.

From Pattays Mail On December 6th, 2024, Mr. Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, the Thai Restaurant Business Association Chairman, raised concerns about the government’s proposal to increase the VAT rate from 7% to 15%. He warned that the move could devastate the restaurant industry, which has already seen over 50% of businesses shut down since early 2024. The VAT hike would disproportionately impact restaurants, as they must pay VAT on food sales but cannot deduct VAT on raw materials like fresh produce. This unique burden forces businesses to choose between shutting down or raising prices. Sorathep estimated that food prices could surge by 20-25% to cover the increased costs, burdening consumers. He urged the government to reconsider and suggested alternatives, including raising the VAT registration threshold from 1.8 million to 2.5 million baht and allowing a 25% tax deduction for agricultural raw materials, which are currently non-deductible. These measures, he said, could help SMEs remain in the system and avoid mass closures. Additionally, Sorathep criticized comparisons to countries like those in Europe, where VAT rates exceed 20%. He argued that such comparisons are flawed, as higher living costs in those countries are offset by higher incomes. In contrast, Thailand’s proposed VAT increase is not matched by wage growth, leaving businesses and consumers to bear the brunt. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2024/12/06/restaurant-and-hotel-industries-fear-collapse-over-proposed-15-percent-vat-hike/

From Pattaya Mail Euromonitor International has announced that more international arrivals visited Bangkok in 2024 than any other city worldwide. Bangkok, with 32.4 million trips, far surpassed pre-pandemic levels and forced Istanbul into second place (23 million) and London into third (21.7 million). Thailand’s visa-exempt policy to allow most tourists into the country for 60 days, with the option to extend for a further month, is a key reason for success. Thailand has also implemented a variety of other visa initiatives to stimulate growth. The Destination Thailand Visa is encouraging longer stays by digital nomads or “activity” tourists such as students of Thai boxing or those seeking significant medical care. Other visa choices include the 5-20 years Elite, the 10- year Long Term Residence and options for retirees. Provincial cities, especially Phuket and Pattaya, are also attracting record numbers of international visitors. Although Bangkok won hands down on the numbers front, it failed to hit the headlines for destination attractiveness, sustainability and business performance. Paris won the top city ranking with five other European capitals appearing in the top 10. Madrid and Tokyo were in second and third place, with Singapore at number 9 as the only south east Asian destination. Total worldwide spending by international tourists in 2024 is expected to reach US$1.9 trillion. Whilst overtourism remains a serious concern in many world destinations, Thailand has far to go in imposing strategies such restricting site entries, reducing traffic and promoting all-year tourism. Nadejda Popova, of Euromonitor International, said the future lies in less-travelled destinations and third-tier cities which will rise in popularity as travellers seek hidden gems, off season experiences and responsible tourism.”

You knows Moses is flustered when he uses terms of endearment. 🙂

The waiting list is long but distinguished.

Outstanding summary. You learn quickly! Thamks for takin time to report. 🙏

Nobody knows how many killed in Russia because free press to report it doesn’t exist. But I’m preaching to choir on that count.

Wrong as usual. Ruble is on the rocks as many other news sources have noted.

Didn’t know Tiger but remember Art and many of the other Nakarat crew.

From Pattaya News

From CNN “The last time I hugged him was June 20, the day the verdict was pronounced,” she recounted in a phone interview with CNN. “He hugged me, cried, and then the guards immediately came up and took him away.” In August, a year after he was first questioned, Arseny marked his 16th birthday behind bars. “Please, I’m asking you to do everything you can to make sure I get released,” Arseny begged his mom in a letter written ahead of an appeal hearing last month and shared with CNN. He had lost 15 kilograms (33 pounds) due to a stress-induced lack of appetite and had been moved to a different cell after episodes of violence from fellow inmates, he said, describing the situation to his mother as “very difficult, critical.” When Irina got this letter, she couldn’t hold back her tears. “I cried because I understand that I am already doing the best I can,” she told CNN. “But I know it’s not enough, and that I can’t change the system.” His appeal to overturn his five-year sentence was denied. The next day, Irina came again for a visit, prepared to demonstrate her strength and resilience to help Arseny cope with the devastating ruling. “I said, ‘Arseny, I’m so proud of you,’” she recalled. “‘You are actually stronger than the people who convicted you,’” she told him, “‘because you have the right to express your opinion and position, while these people only do what they have to do.’” Her only child faces being moved to a correctional facility for teenagers but for the moment remains in Detention Center No. 5. Turbina still struggles to comprehend how this happened. “He is just a kid, he has been different since early childhood,” she said. She describes Arseny as someone with “a love for books and studying,” who showed an interest in politics as early as 14, liked to “delve into everything,” and was not afraid to speak his mind and tell the wrong from the right at school or online. In April 2023, Arseny called a morning live show on TV Rain, an independent network based outside of Russia, to vent about his disappointment in President Vladimir Putin and call out state propaganda at his school. “Human rights are being violated,” he said. Then on June 12, Russia Day, Irina says he staged a solo protest in their hometown and printed out leaflets that read “I am against Putin” and “freedom for political prisoners,” among other anti-government slogans. She tried her best to discourage him, fearing what might happen. still struggles to comprehend how this happened. “He is just a kid, he has been different since early childhood,” she said. She describes Arseny as someone with “a love for books and studying,” who showed an interest in politics as early as 14, liked to “delve into everything,” and was not afraid to speak his mind and tell the wrong from the right at school or online. In April 2023, Arseny called a morning live show on TV Rain, an independent network based outside of Russia, to vent about his disappointment in President Vladimir Putin and call out state propaganda at his school. “Human rights are being violated,” he said. Then on June 12, Russia Day, Irina says he staged a solo protest in their hometown and printed out leaflets that read “I am against Putin” and “freedom for political prisoners,” among other anti-government slogans. She tried her best to discourage him, fearing what might happen. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/05/europe/russia-teenagers-imprisoned-for-dissent-intl-cmd/index.html

When I was coming for shorter stays prior to retiring, this was my go to hotel. It does a lot of the important things right and your dates treated with discretion and courtesy. Good buffet breakfast, compact but very comfortable rooms (your LT may be in no hurry to leave) and terrific rooftop infinity pool.

Why is it unfortunate for me? I wasn’t an investor. Then again, I don’t believe neither you or me qualify as oligarchs. 🙂