Myanmar dictators order military offensive along the Thai border
All water guns in Thailand are turned up to Full Blast
This is Fishwrap, third Bulldog Edition of the Year 2568, akaApril 15, 2028.
Most people can't remember right away where they were and what they were doing on this date in 1969.
But Thailand's best Sunday columnist keeps a journal and well recalls
Taking a dip in Hua Hin a long time ago
 In my early days in Thailand I was young enough to regard Songkran as fun. Throwing water and getting drenched seemed a welcome diversion from the overwhelming April heat. Everyone seemed so happy. It will come as no surprise that five decades later I am of a somewhat different persuasion and take refuge at home during the Songkran festivities. I think they call it "growing old". I couldn't imagine anything remotely like this happening in England. It would all end up in an almighty punch-up.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2775873/
CMWFH
The governor of Chiang Mai, the Rose City in northern Thailand, ordered businesses to close for four days, and all civil servants to work from home.
An official announcement stated that the purpose is to reduce smoke, smog and PM2.5 particulate matter, especially in Chiang Mai city.
Chiang Mai is in the Top Ten, and on some days is the most air-polluted city in the world.
Below: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Nirat Phongsitthaworn, governor of Chiang Mai province, look down on the Rose City.
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/04/09/chiang-mai-begins-3-days-of-work-from-home-to-reduce-pm2-5/
MYANMAR BURMA WAR REFUGEES
Anti-coup forces claim another, fourth, attack on the junta's Aela air force base inside the military's capital city of Nay Pyi Daw.
There's no confirmation. The Brave Warriors of Myanmar (BWM) claimed it was the fourth time that they attacked the air base.
A pre-dawn rocket attack last Friday damaged 'an aircraft hangar with several planes inside'. In addition, the attack destroyed a Thingyan Pavilion being built for Senior Colonel Min Aung Hlaing and other military loyalists.
Statement from BWM broadcast on functioning radio stations of the anti-coup forces:
 Our main target is the junta's air force throughout the country. If the air force collapses, we will be able to carry out a revolution. That is why we are fighting the air force with determination.
Anti-coup forces including the BWM and Mountain Hawk Civilian Defense Force (MKCDF) showed this photos, which appear to be rockets (or mortars?) used in the attack.
Two separate rebel forces -- Karen National Union (KNU) and People's Defense Force (PDF) claimed that a joint operation captured the junta's Pha Sone camp, and overran the Myanmar military's 275 Light Infantry Battalion in Myawaddy township, northeast of Nay Pyi Daw.
Spokespersons denied that the position was lost.
Burmese refugees began arriving at the Thai border opposite Myawaddy -- which is roughly across the Moei River, opposite Mae Sot district of Thailand's northern Tak province -- already home to several tens of thousands of Burmese refugees from before the revolution credited to Aung San Suu Kyi.
Why the fall of Myawaddy is crucial
 Thousands of residents are fleeing into Thailand, fearing the military under Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will hit back with air strikes now that ground troops have gone.
It has been a focal point for many of the ethnic and pro-democracy groups who have struggled since 1962 against successive military administrations.
In all that time, it has remained in the hands of government -- military and 'democratic' alike.
That includes the times that Suu Kyi was in power. Today, she is locked up by the military dictators.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/12/the-fall-of-myawaddy-myanmars-gateway-to-thailand-and-the-world
Snakes alive!
There are no anaconda in Thailand... well, except for two giant green anacondas at the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Korat.
Mayo and Moya are typical of the species -- not aggressive (unless they're really hungry) and they actually like to be around humans.
The Green Anaconda is the second largest snake in the world. They prefer to be in water.
Khao Sod (Fresh News)https://shorturl.at/yJMT9
THAILAND POLITICS ECONOMY
Thai prime minister: Stop panicking!
Srettha Thavisin denied news reports that depositors had caused a run on the government-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) -- even though they did.
In comments to the Thai media, however, Srettha let slip something he's tried to keep secret for a year:
His government does not have the cash required to fund his year-old election promise of a 10,000-baht giveaway to every citizen (about US$275 per each of 60 million citizens).
So, he said, yes, the government is going to borrow the required cash -- and the chief lender will be the BAAC, exactly as depositors speculated.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2775394/
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40037214
Thaksin on digital-wallet plan: 'Okay! I'm in'
It's not at all clear that Srettha needed it, but he got support from Thaksin, who is still in Chiang Mai.
 The economy has not yet recovered [from the Covid lockdowns].
 However, the digital wallet scheme will be an asset, as there is currently a lack of money in the system.
Thaksin claimed that even banks have 'depleted their funds' and have little money available for lending.
THE NEW SPACE RACE
 According to the U.S. Space Force
 China is moving at 'breathtaking speed' in the final frontier.
https://www.space.com/china-space-progress-breathtaking-speed-space-force