bamnutsak

Seems like it's just a matter of when a busload of tourists gets Nom-toked. https://aseannow.com/topic/1313194-39-french-tourists-escape-bus-blaze/

Soft Power.

So that's why they call it "predatory lending". And it may be why the lords prefer to keep Somchai un-educated and down on the farm, waiting for his "digital" wallet.

Can you share any details? Please be specific, which dispensaries did you use in Cali? Which strains? Are you price-sensitive? What is your price ceiling per 1/8th here? What sorts of things have you sampled here? IMO, unless it's some single-property ultra-chic Humboldt OG Appellation Garberville, you should be able to find local supplies. Not sure how much standardization/consistency there is here to date, compared to the legal markets in the U.S., where you can rely on a strain from a dispensary will be consistent. There are a few exceptions.

Former Thai senator and MP candidate denies involvement in child prostitution A 15 year old girl who was rescued from prostitution accused a former high-ranking politician of buying sexual services from the teenager. The politician in question is identified as a former senator and Pheu Thai Party candidate. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/former-thai-senator-and-mp-candidate-denies-involvement-in-child-prostitution

I've got to believe that there will be a waiver/exclusion for a condo purchase. I mean Srettha did flog real estate so he can't be that stoopid. A lot of Thais are going to be shocked when they find out they have a potential tax liability on funds remitted to them, unless Buffalo Repairs are excluded.

Collections, muscle, enforcement, confiscation of collateral (usually a motorbike). Oh, you mean to eliminate the problem. Useless.

This too shall NOT pass. As a kid we had wax-lips, Nik-L-Nip bottles, probably more. I think most of us knew not to swallow the wax bit after extraction/mastication. But then some kids ate crayons and drank glue (Elmers).

Well, that's one way to control inflation. January to April, I assume that means through 31 March? from the linked article... The funds for this subsidy will come from a central budget of 2 billion baht, aimed at alleviating the hardship caused by increasing electricity costs for those affected. This government seems keen on subsidies, price controls, and give-aways.

While I have no direct or indirect knowledge, this would be my guess as well, at least for those offices which may be more networked. I base that on a pool of five individuals, Bangkok/CW, and my experience using the new system to file TM30's for them and myself. Now I can't make any conjectures re: the potentially new requirement to re-file if returning to your address of record (int'l or domestic) as I have no history on this yet. I've been recommending that we re-file on any int'l return, if only as the system is so easy to use.

As a prelude to the official MICHELIN Stars announcement slated on December 13, 2023, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand has unveiled today the 2024 Bib Gourmand selection, which features 196 food establishments – including 32 new entries (28 newcomers, and 4 moving from the MICHELIN Selected list). Of the newcomers, 12 are from Ko Samui and Surat Thani Mainland – two newly covered destinations in the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition. https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/bib-gourmand-thailand-2024 A decent enough guide for some prospective dining experiences. The problem becomes one of access though, after they hit the Michelin and guidebooks. Massive queues. Pretty soon you need... https://www.facebook.com/Bookatableinyourarea

The results of the inquiries into informal lending are oddly similar to the inquiries into "influential" people. A well-defined, smaller-than-expected figure. Both efforts appear to have been for show. But the two Venn Diagrams overlapped significantly.

The previous Imm Chief in Phuket, Col Thanet Sukchaiwas, appears to have been forced out (he resigned, but then maybe took the Prachuap Kiri Khan Imm chief position) to make room for this nepo baby. It is a lucrative posting. Do we have to remind you how Monarchs are chosen?

While we are all free to make assumptions about her opinion I think/hope we all agree she should be free to express it without retribution. Well then, the Soft Power Committee should be out there promoting the Thai sex industry. My guess is that they won't be doing this. FWIW I think this "Soft Power" trend is nonsense. "Soft power" evolves naturally and cannot be "dictated". So I agree with you that the Thai Sex Industry is representative, along with temples, food, and beaches, of the great Soft Powers of Thailand. The authorities could have just let this one pass away, but instead, everyone is talking about it still. There seems to be some sensitivity about the perception of safety right now, but I'm not sure hyping this incident and prosecuting the Chinese woman is the best approach towards ameliorating those potential concerns among potential tourists. I'd attempt to make peace with this woman, that is the middle path, in hopes that she is more positively inclined towards Thailand once she returns to China.

What was a relatively minor video, which most would never have seen nor heard about has been blown way out of proportion, and of course, it has gained even more attention. I think I've seen at least seven different takes on various Thai authorities weighing in on potential punishments, which only draws more attention to the issue. AFAIK she was expressing an opinion, about her perceived sense of feeling unsafe. Surely people are allowed to express an opinion? Headline: Thai authorities claim entertainment zones providing sexual services are far more safe than the rest of the country. I'm half-expecting that Thai sex workers will become part of a new Soft Power campaign? Honestly, what's next? Someone complaining about the weather, or the air quality? Cart them off the the IDC immediately.

Android TV Update Live TV with up to 800 free channels. In a new update, Android TV is putting free channels from Google TV front and center, with the channels now appearing on the homescreen right along with your favorite apps. Rolling out now, Android TV users will begin seeing the same free channels available on Google TV on their home screen with a new shortcut that appears alongside apps. The new app lets users skip over to the “Live” tab and specifically into the 115+ free channels that Google has built out over the past year. https://9to5google.com/2023/12/05/android-tv-free-tv-channels-app/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHEDRyAIsys&t=71s So any Google TV device (android box, android/Google OS TV, Chromecast, even Fire Stick - I think as it is an Android TV fork), along with a U.S. GMail/Google account and a VPN with a U.S. IP, displays a new LIVE TV Tab. It took me a while but I added ~ 15 favorites. Note that your choice of location can affect some of the free channels.

This may be the sort of "fake news" the PM was referring to when he mandated a crack-down. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40033594 https://aseannow.com/topic/1312550-pm-tackles-fake-news-to-protect-tourism-industry/ The Police may have to tread lightly, the woman is said to be an influencer in China, so the usual strong-arm tactics/extortion may not be advised.

Srettha is wise to stay away from the Police wars. First smart thing he's done in his tenure.

My guess is that no, they just filed for you, and not your wife. Maybe a combination of laziness and partial compliance. Get registered on the new TM30 site ASAP, it's quite easy now, and use it in any situation (domestic hotel, international re-arrival) where it might be required.

Hard to wean oneself off the teat of government subsidies.

"Comprehensive Measures" So we can all breathe - cough - a bit - hack, easier? This government just bounces from controversy to corruption, to problem after problem, with little more than some flapping of the gums. Less talking, more committees.

You mean other than entering Thailand with another person's passport?

So will twerking be allowed? More than three thrusts? Or will the MiniCult (Ministry of Culture) be along to ban it? Looks tangibly cultural to me? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4csFYAwolTs This "Soft-Power" nonsense will last longer than the "Sufficiency Economy".

Do you ban tobacco (cigarette/cigar) smoking in your rental properties? I think you need to sack up and manage your properties more competently rather than whinging here. Ban all smoking, including Cannabis. Require a significantly higher deposit, and/or post-stay charge for Cannabis related damage, repairs, and clean-up. Clearly communicate that if any Cannabis is consumed the police will be called. If/when Cannabis is re-criminalized I suspect partiers will still be able to source it, and you'll still have the problems you have today. And you'll still be whinging.

More "Soft Power"?