Pattaya welcomes a few Russians
Good Sunday morning, all children, everywhere in the world or in spaceships.
This is the 141st Sunday edition of the Fishwrap since the first day we were told not to go outside, not to go abroad, and Mask the Hell Up!
It's a lovely winter morning in East Nong Ban, Thailand. Which is to say: totally overcart to cut down but a high ceiling with unblocked visibility - and a lovely 28 Quebec degrees and no wind chill at all.
It's going to rain again.
No one in Thailand is doing super-well, but today it's the turn of Khao San Road to whine for sympathy.
That is the actual narrative that Prayut and the ruling Thailand military junta have ordered the country's media to play: Their plans for Thailand's recovery were perfect, but those pesky foreign tourists have refused to cooperate.
It took years for the street in central Bangkok to become known to travellers and other backpackers everywhere in the world.
Hotels and hostels, bars, cheap open-air restaurants, market stalls, hair salons street food carts and travel agents are located along the road.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic started three years ago, the governments have issued strict travel restrictions, making it more difficult to enter the country.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Khao San Road dropped sharply.
But we did get some Russians...
Pattaya City mayor Poramet Ngamphichet greets Russian tourists after the first charter flight of Azur Air landed at U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport yesterday.
Prayut and supporters continue to sell the success of that fabulous APEC 'summit' in Bangkok.
Two (2) foreign guests took some time off for some quick Bangkok sightseeing.
Superstars Kamala "Mattress Girl" Harris (U.S.A.) and Emmanuel "Manny" Macron (France) will return home and tell citizens to move their extreme lower backsides to Thailand, thus helping the economy AND justifying the multi-million-dollar summit at the same time.
The chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said yesterday that if all the APEC countries (especially China) would just relax their draconian "Zero Covid" policy, the Thai economy would grow by 4^ in 2023.
Sanan Angubolkul told a forum in far-away Ubon Ratchathani:
The country faces crises brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has hit economic growth across the board.
We all have seen the lockdowns and the damage done
How COVID-19 school closures could affect inequalities in the decades to come.
But by all means put your masks back on.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-covid-school-closures-affect-inequalities.html
As all visitors, let alone Thai citizens know, if there's one thing Thailand needs, it's more 7-Elevens.
There are only about 13,100 right now.
But the Charoen Pokphand (CP aka Chicken People) are on the case.
CP has promised to open 700 new 7-Eleven outlets before New Year's Eve.
The king turned 70, went to a concert sponsored by his only daughter, Princess Irivannavari.
Please SHIELD THE EYES of young kiddies and oldish aunties before reading this headline. And its story.
Florida Deputies Shoot the Dick Off a Firebomber
Three deputies began shooting, firing a total of 10 shots. The suspect was struck twice in the right leg, once in the left leg, and once in the groin.
Judd said, "We've changed the looks of his groin forever, if you know what I mean."
So Florida governor Ron DeSantis has not banned all gender transitions.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/florida-deputies-open-fire-transitioning-an-armed-arson-suspect-into-a-detainee
COMMENT It is possible that them Florida good ole boys used the Dick-a-geddon scene in the Oribinal Robo Cop as a training film.
USA BIDEN CORRUPTION WAR
As the poem goes, "Something old, something new..."
Here's the "something new"
European phuyai believe that The Big Guy and members of his administration are "making a fortune" from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Attacks on Biden and his inner group are open: They're making Big Money by playing off speculation and slacklines and just plain past-posting gas prices weapons sales and supplies, and just ordinary trade. And Biden's green subsidies.
The Biden government simply ignores the impact of its domestic economic policies on European allies.
It is an increasingly toxic atmosphere.
The website Politico broke this story and has for more details that the White House loyalists want. They will try the tired tactic of "oh, that's Russian disinformation." Which it isn't.
Politico: https://bityl.co/FrZp
It's still one of those 'tip of the iceberg' stories and many U.S. journals and journalists will try to deep-six it.
Top European officials are furious with Joe Biden's administration and now accuse the Americans of making a fortune from the war, while EU countries suffer.
"The fact is, if you look at it soberly, the country that is most profiting from this war is the U.S. because they are selling more gas and at higher prices, and because they are selling more weapons."
PHOTO: Ukrainian flag with coat of arm in front of the U.S. White House.
The always informed and unique Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University writes about all the recent Southeast Asia Meetings For Bigwigs and what they could mean for the region's geopolitics.
He is hard-core against us advocates of "Why don't they use Skype? Or even Zoom?"
The three 'summits' in Bali, Phnom Pen and Bangkok were reminders of how indispensible is the interpersonal communication.
While China still appears internally mired under Covid restrictions, just about all other countries have reopened.
PHOTO, courtesy Government House:
Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Li Yuan, left, shows her appreciation after Prayut [second right] and his wife Naraporn Chan-o-cha, second left, present her with a cake [not shown] to celebrate her birthday.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2445750/
THAILAND WOMEN VIOLENCE
Attacks on women 'still a major worry'
8,500 violent cases reported each year
More than 8,500 women experience either physical or sexual violence each year, mostly in domestic or family environments, according to the Public Health Ministry.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2446649/
My favourite Bangkok Post columnist Anchalee Kongrut addresses the identical question I asked durinf the entire 'summit' period.
Did APEC elite taste enough of Thailand?
Answer: Not even close
How will the much-touted meeting make Thailand better off in the long run?
Last week's meeting proved a great showcase for local ingredients and the chefs who prepared food for 21 APEC country leaders and other attendees.
I'm talking [writing] about lobsters from Phuket, Betong chicken from Yala, sundried and salted pla kulao from Tak Bai district in Narathiwat, Wagyu beef from Nakhon Ratchasima, giant river prawns from Ayutthaya and caviar from the Royal Project in Chiang Mai.
The menus and ingredients served during Apec were stunning examples of what has become known as sustainable gastronomy.
The Thai 'government' as well as the food industry itself and the culture and entertainment sectors have done little to help.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2446674/
Very related
No place says salted fish like Tak Bai
Around Asia, salted fish has earned the moniker “poor man’s food.” That’s because its extreme saltiness enhances the flavour of simple rice-based meals and also means there’s enough for everyone in the family.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/no-place-says-salted-fish-like-tak-bai/
SOCCER WORLD CUP KIDDIES
USA 0-0 ENGLAND
Approximately as boring as the final score indicates.
TRIVIA FACT: England never has defeated the USA in World Cup history.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63603425
Also
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-26/live-updates-fifa-world-cup-england-vs-usa-netherlands-ecuador/101700922
No one saved the Wales
Consonant-endowed Wales 0-2 Iran
Iran waves 'buh-bye' to the Wales.
This primary school in Cardiff, like many other schools in Wales, were allowed to watch the Iran vs Wales match instead of their normal lessons - and were taught the brutal reality of what it means to follow your national team.
"Mate, I'm fuming about this."
CANADA CHINA RAPE
Oh, wow, those Wu people, eh?
Popular Chinese-Canadian K-pop star Kris Wu (aka Wu Yifan, full name Wu Yi Fan) was convicted of rape and earned a 13-year prison sentence by a Beijing court.
Thay have a [Chinese] term to describe egomaniacs like him.
Xiaoxianrou - Young fresh meat
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-25/china-sentences-chinese-canadian-star-kris-wu-to-13-years/10170142
TECHNOLOGY
Tesla recalls more than 80,000 cars in China over software and seatbelt issues
Tesla is recalling more than 80,000 China-made and imported cars produced from as early as 2013, for software and seat belt issues, a statement by the Chinese market regulator revealed on Friday (Nov 25).
The US-based electric car maker has recalled 67,698 Model S and Model X cars imported to China between Sep 25, 2013 and Nov 21, 2020 due to software problems affecting the battery management system in the vehicles.
Tesla said it will upgrade the software of recalled vehicles.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/25/tesla-recalls-more-than-80000-cars-in-china-over-software-seatbelt-issues.html
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/tesla-recall-china-local-imported-car-80000-3100146
Elon says [Techtimes.com]
If Apple and Google boot Twitter, I will make and market a smartphone.
Some sad news for Elon Musk's critics. Twitter is already making money. [DonSurberBlogspot.com]
https://bityl.co/Frnd
China Space Program Plans to Build a Nuclear-powered Moon Base by 2028 [Techtimes.com]
https://tinyurl.com/34psf7wm
I don't hate but I don't particularly admire the gang of anti-junta, anti-Prayut [and recently even anti-monarch] obsessed. Their unceasing 'street demonstrations' and mimeographed samizdat pamphlets remind me of the old-ish [1999] Bruce Willis flick 6th Sense as they keep turning that red doorknob and can't understand for the life of them why the damn thing won't open.
Can't argue with this...
TECHNOLOGY
U.S. bans [all] sales of [all] Huawei and ZTE equipment [Axios.com]
Both companies were already flagged as national security threats by U.S. authorities.
https://www.axios.com/2022/11/25/fcc-bans-huawei-zte-equipment-national-security
BREAKING...
5G towers do not cause the Covid! Imagine that.
https://www.bbc.com/news/53191523
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Free advice on romance...
Find every version of this song by Mariah Carey and delete it with military-grade, overwriting software. This one is best.
Windows. Eraser.
http://eraser.heidi.ie/
Use the Gutmann Standard (Recurring) method to say buh-bye to Mariah.
For Apple I recommend the Permanent Eraser, an open-source that is easy to use and totally effective: http://www.edenwaith.com/products/permanent%20eraser/
AND THEN
Beg, buy, borrow or steal the version by amazing Lisa Layne and Vince Vance & the Valiants. You won't be sorry. It is on YouTube if you need a listen/watch.:
Something different. Or, rather, something you haven't read for... what? 20 years?
A Venezuelan in America: Why I’m Grateful for Capitalism This Thanksgiving
In a free market society, everyone has the opportunity to create their own destiny and wealth.
https://spectator.org/venezuelan-america-grateful-capitalism-thanksgiving/
WORTH A SUNDAY READ
Uncancelled History: Robert E. Lee
Douglas Murray has kicked off a podcast series entitled Uncancelled History with author Jonathan Horn. (I prefer to spell uncanceled with one "l" American style.)
Horn is a former White House speechwriter whose first book — The Man Who Would Not Be Washington (2015) — was a biography of Robert E. Lee.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2022/11/uncancelled-history-robert-e-lee.php
USA WORLD CORONAVIRUS
FAUCI UNMASKED
On the day before Thanksgiving the fallacious Fauci was put under oath for a deposition.
Dr. Fauci was deposed in the lawsuit brought by Missouri and Louisiana against the U.S. federal government for colluding with Big Tech social media companies to suppress free speech bearing on the epidemic.
They mean to bring masks back, which they just did in Thailand, and they mean to make Covid vaccinations total and mandatory. They will not give up.
https://bityl.co/Frls
Approximately exactly zero of the above was reported in the U.S., Canuckistanian or Thai media by this morning.
MEANWHILE, the Claremont Review of Books headlines,
The Masking of America
Faceless people make compliant subjects, not good citizens.
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/the-masking-of-america/
The same publication features a readable mini-essay by Charles Horner:
China's rulers continue to maintain an enormous apparatus of repression.
Including the risible Zero-Covid fraud.
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/struggle-session/
What Jason/Marius discussed briefly. Although now (of course) it's a meme.
Toughest job in the DPRK (confirmed)
Being Mister Choe Son-hui
FREE (No Charge Whatsoever) Romance Tip
Small, romantic gestures like strewn rose petals can help keep the passion in a relationship.
See how passionate she is at the end?
