Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (27 June 2022)

Despite the lifting of legal requirements to wear masks everywhere in public throughout Thailand, any survey shows that most Thais and indeed many non-Thais continue, happily, to wear them. With a considerable number of businesses, down to convenience stores, still requiring customers to wear them, as they legally can, it's likely that the voluntary wearing will continue for some while. Covid-19, of course, now almost ignored, is still a highly transmittable disease although recent variants are only similar to flu in their symptoms. In all Thai schools, wearing a mask is a requirement for pupils, except during sport. Travellers arriving here though are finding the arrivals process almost as it was prior to covid AND with airports far from running at max, it's a good time to travel without queues.

A Thai man who used his work and home computers to lure teenagers into online friendships, persuading them to shed their clothes and even create videos, has been released by a criminal court on just 50K baht bail pending a full trial. Police, who opposed bail, stated that the Pathum thani man was a danger to the public AND that 20 school children have already made police reports on his activities that saw one young girl commit suicide as a result of his demands and threats of publicing her photos on social media.

The Bangkok governor is to review a list of 7 locations in the capital which are allowed to be used for public demonstrations legally. The review, to assess safety and behaviour is expected to be positive. Stating that "Democracy respects differences of opinions. Any society where all people think the same is scary," and that the sites are available for demonstration against political AND social issues, he appears to be making major changes to the legitimacy of protests in the capital where, to date, some have resulted in violence.

Meanwhile at home and in Pattaya, despite storms throughout the weekend, the pride parades went off well, seeing many turn out for the event. Tiffany saw the return of Miss International Queen, a transgender event that was an annual one prior to the covid era, seeing a 27 year old Filipina take first prize. Street parties were also well attended in the gay quarters of the city.

Vendors along the beachfront, and even the newly renovated sands in Jomtien are due to cease trading as of today after several days' notice. The order, issued last week, followed reports of congestion along the promenade and the adoption OF the new sands for commercial nighttime use, which hasn't gone down too well with city hall which invested millions in its renovation caused by erosion. Vendors are of course up in arms and the general public appeared to be enjoying the new beach are freedom and party atmosphere over the weekend.

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