gomangosteen

Hold that outrage. Read it was is a joke / promotion, photos for Australian swimwear company Budgy Smuggler. Put your photos on Instagram #budgysmuggler

Theory #2 - sticky rice reinforced with strips of split bamboo. Jokes aside, it will be interesting to read what the independent US investigation reveals, if that outcome is ever made public. I suspect it may be classed as a national security matter as a way to keep it under wraps.

The Farang Palace Before moving to Chanthaburi we spent a year in Sa Kaeo, first time I'd witnessed the Farang Palace syndrome. Ridiculous, tacky attempts at 'style' and 'class' in poor rural villages. 1. English, around 70, living in what had been built as the guesthouse adjacent to the mansion, accompanied by his dogs, as his wife's family had gradually moved in, taken over and wife generously allowed him to stay on the property he'd paid for. Nice house though. 2. English, mid 70s when I met him. I'd been informed he was 'a writer' as that was what his wife told everyone. Turns out he was a prolific poster on this forum in its earlier TV days, literary efforts limited to his attempts at witty one-liners. Had her mother and a few hangers-on living on the property . He either died naturally or took his own life, accounts vary. Last time we saw the property, looked more like a refugee camp, vehicles gone, house intact minus joinery - doors/frames, windows even the big front gates removed, presume sold to pay her debts. 3. Irishman, 50s, a more modest property, he left everything behind and fled at short notice under threat from his 'family' backed by local police, he'd outlived his welcome, or perhaps his money was running short. No shortage of such tales. Envy, greed, and daft old farangs with more money than sense. My all time favourite was an elderly Englishman we met at the beach, told us his great tale of woe (married, bought her house, car etc then pushed out). A rather sad punchline, he ended with "I never thought it could happen to me twice". Buy that man a beer!

Base jumpers do not have an 'emergency parachute' for a low level approx 100m jump. No time,his total freefall time would have been under five seconds

All of them? Two British. One is French, one a New Zealander.

You may well be correct; this pixellated photo from Manager Online News would seem to support your theory.

Yes that is our Click 160 ABS I wrote about in paras 2 & 3 Keyless ignition, no kickstart

No inter-provincial dealer networking ... Chanthaburi Honda shops had the two Marvel edition ADV160s - Ironman and Captain America - plus standard ones (but didn't see black). Seen a few ADV350s on the road but never in a dealership - maybe all pre-ordered?

Honda ADV 160 There's a Youtube channel Life with Serg he's been touring around Thailand on a Honda ADV 160 - recently Kanchanaburi, Koh Chang, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Loop. Hasn't mentioned any problems except a couple of times he's said 'needs more power' but for a 160 he's done some impressive mileage. I bought a Click 160 ABS last month - the ADV was too big for Mrs M and daughter (who'll be using it to get to uni from June, 26km a day). Only 1200km so far, suits our needs OK. Been very happy with the dealer we bought it from, accessories I ordered 19 Dec (incl topbox for uni books etc) - told early January due to NY - arrived/fitted on 26 Dec, had 1000km service / checkup two weeks ago and only charged for the oil, labour free. Unsure when I get to swap the red plate for a white one.

Not all Brits. Thai news site Matichon identified the people involved as being two from UK (Ian and Darren), one French (Damian), one New Zealander (Benjamin).

The passengers were all Thai 'tourists' out for a day's fishing trip. We're a little further up the coast, Chanthaburi, similar day and 4 hour evening (for squid) fishing trips available on wooden fishing vessels modified to take people out.

I doubt speed was an issue It wasn't a speedboat, it was a modified fishing boat to take people on fishing trips See earlier post with photo of the wooden fishing boat 'Netwari' of 24 gross tons used to take tourists on fishing trips.

That's an old concrete structure part-complete - project began ten years ago, 2014. The project was halted due to charges of encroachment on reserved mangrove forests by marine park officials. Silly stuff. But for now, shows what a little publicity can do to prompt action. A win for the kids.

Posted yesterday; you're suggesting a clandestine meeting arranged in the durian orchard?

Work underway on completing the bridge Photos from Facebook dated 24 January 2024

Yes, seems blame the elephants is the first option. In November 2021 there were six reported fatalities here in Chanthaburi province; I'd say country-wide many go unreported by media, just another hazard of rural life. This month: On Thursday 18 January 2024 22 year old Pongsakorn Nuantanod was killed by elephant/s while he was fishing in the Satoh Yai Canal which forms the provincial border of Chanthaburi and Trat. His body was found on the riverbank along with many elephant footprints. Case solved. On Saturday 6 January there were two other fatalities caused by elephants, in Pong Nam Ron (Chanthaburi), and Kanchanaburi.

Thai Daily News states he put his arm into the cage to feed the bear. Also that his arm has been severed below the elbow; different to 'severely injured' as quoted in this report. That photo would suggest the former outcome.

According to Thairath it was not a speedboat, they state it was a wooden fishing boat 'Netwari' of 24 gross tons used to take tourists on fishing trips.

Check directly with the Honda dealer, though based on my experience as below, they may even be consistent across dealerships/provinces!. I bought a Click 160 last month 19 December (Chanthaburi), at the second dealer I'd been to (first didn't have the ABS model I wanted), not surprisingly both dealers had an identical checklist of required documents. Thai driver licence (no, don't ask why, but it was a requirement - and I'd got my new one on the 15th) Passport - she copied the relevant pages - photo page, visa; I had to sign the copies Letter of Residency from Immigration OR Yellow house book (I had the latter); also copied my pink non-Thai ID card A painless process, while she was doing the copying and completing forms for me to sign (incl insurance) I was being shown the bike and the electronic 'key' system by the workshop technician. Out of there in about 40 minutes.

Quick arrests, Thai news Manageronline Mrs Somsuda also known as Jepui Promwichian, 42 and her nephew Mr Krits arrested in Ubon Ratchathani today. She teamed up with the nephew (who did the actual murder) in an attempt to clear millions of baht in debt. They are being held awaiting handover to Makham, Chanthaburi police for further prosecution.

CSI based on an initial report from Amarin TV Thai media have named him - that's irrelevant here. And that other publication confirmed cctv shows him alone, taking a taxi to the foothills of Tha Sok mountain heading to the plantation.

I'm surprised the estimated times almost identical, or is that just a calculation based in distance? I'm in Chanthaburi - given a choice I'd take 317 - we often travel that highway to Sa Kaeo. Rayong, Chachoengsao and places in between, tends to have a lot more traffic. Really an either/or situation, believe option #1 would be my preference. Happy travels!

Thairath identified him as being a 53 year old Sri Lankan businessman who had left the country on Monday 22 January 2024.

Yes, pond. Photo from Thairath

Good luck to him