In 2022, some of the best places for expats to live were cities like Mexico, Indonesia, and Taiwan. These cities offered a high standard of living, excellent healthcare systems, and strong safety records. Additionally, they provided opportunities for career growth and had vibrant expat communities. On the other hand, some of the worst places for expats to live in 2022 included cities like Kuwait, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. These cities faced challenges such as the high cost of live, censorship, a lack of friends and a lack of culture and nightlife, making them less desirable for expatriates seeking stability and quality of life.

Bali, While it's challenging to determine the world's absolute best places to visit as it largely depends on personal preferences, here are some remarkable destinations that are highly recommended for travelers in 2023-2024

Indonesia offers a captivating blend of stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual retreats, making it a top choice for relaxation and exploration.

Paris, France enchants visitors with its romantic ambiance, iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, and world-class cuisine, providing an unforgettable experience.

Tokyo, Japan blends tradition and modernity, offering a bustling metropolis with ancient temples, vibrant neighborhoods, and unique cultural immersion opportunities.

Thailand's prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, expressed confidence on Tuesday that he has garnered sufficient support in the upper house to become the country's next premier. This announcement comes just days before the inaugural session of the new parliament.
Pita, who leads the progressive Move Forward Party, faces a challenging path to the premiership, despite his party's impressive victory in the May election, which marked a rejection of nearly nine years of military-backed government in Thailand.
His coalition, consisting of eight parties, currently holds 312 seats in parliament. However, according to the constitution, Pita needs a minimum of 376 votes in a joint sitting of the bicameral legislature, including the 250-member upper house. It is important to note that most of the upper house members were appointed by the military during their assumption of power in 2014.
When asked about the level of support he has secured in the Senate, Pita confidently stated that he has "enough to become prime minister."

There have been doubts regarding Pita's ability to garner sufficient support due to his party's controversial proposal to amend Thailand's strict lese majeste law, which prohibits any perceived insults against the monarchy and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Move Forward Party argues that this law is often exploited as a political tool against government opponents.
This stance has generated opposition from Thailand's royalist establishment and the conservative-leaning Senate, which consists of the old-money elite. Pita mentioned that his party is in the process of explaining their position to senators before the parliamentary vote in July.
Pita emphasized that amending the law to align with the current societal context should not hinder the formation of the government.
The parliament will convene on July 3, and the vote for the prime minister is scheduled to take place on July 13.

Yesterday, a total of 16 migrant workers were apprehended near Bangkok's Asoke intersection on suspicion of violating immigration laws. The announcement came this Friday morning from Lt. Gen. Pakpoompipat Sajjapan, the commander of the immigration police, who revealed that approximately 50 immigration officers carried out a sweep in the area. The operation specifically targeted street vendors operating between the Nana and Asoke areas. The crackdown was prompted by complaints received regarding the alleged competition these vendors posed to Thai business operators.
Of the 16 individuals arrested, nine were from Myanmar, two from Cambodia, one from Laos, one from Vietnam, and one person was found to be undocumented. Furthermore, two Thai employers who were accused of unlawfully employing these foreign nationals were also taken into custody. This comprehensive operation resulted in a total of 16 suspects being apprehended.

The majority of those arrested were engaged in the sale of food and clothing from mobile carts and temporary stalls. While some attempted to evade capture, the authorities successfully closed off certain lanes to ensure their apprehension. Upon inspection, it was discovered that some of the individuals lacked passports and work permits, while others possessed expired travel documents. In certain cases, individuals had been granted temporary exemptions for tourism purposes.
According to the police, the act of selling goods on the street is deemed illegal for foreign nationals due to its perceived threat to public peace, safety, and the overall well-being of individuals and their properties. Moreover, such activities are believed to tarnish the country's image.
The police initiated this operation in response to various complaints, including those received through social media platforms. These reports indicated that unlicensed foreign vendors were engaging in unfair competition with Thai drink and food vendors, particularly in prominent business areas.

The long journey is now over and it was longer than we thought: from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi, UAE to Dublin, Ireland to Lisbon, Portugal, to Fort Lauderdale, FL in the US, to Ayampe, Ecuador, to Fort Lauderdale, FL in the US again to New York (Long Beach and JFK Airport), to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, France back to Lisbon, Portugal, to Heathrow Airport in London to Hong Kong and finally back home to Thailand.

Whew...I'm tired just thinking about the trip.

The Tourist Police of Thailand have recently introduced a series of measures aimed at maintaining order and security in popular tourist spots, with a particular focus on Pattaya. According to a report by Thaiger, the authorities have made it clear that solicitation of clients by sex workers, trans women, and homeless individuals along the beachfront will no longer be tolerated. Violators of this new rule will face fines and potentially even imprisonment.
Colonel Somchai Thiraphatphaisarn, a representative of the Tourist Police, emphasized the severity of the penalties awaiting sex workers who continue to operate in the restricted area. Although prostitution is technically illegal throughout Thailand and soliciting clients on the beach has always been prohibited, the enforcement of these laws has been relatively lenient in Pattaya. Consequently, the city has gained a notorious reputation as a prominent destination for sex tourism.
A growing number of foreign visitors have reported incidents of robbery and assault perpetrated by sex workers while strolling along the shoreline. This concerning situation has prompted authorities to take decisive action. One illustrative case involves a Thai woman who was accused of stealing a Rolex watch valued at one million baht (equivalent to $30,000) from a British tourist in Pattaya.

While Thailand is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, and warm hospitality that attract visitors from around the world, it has also gained notoriety for its association with sex tourism. The country's nightlife and relaxed attitudes towards sexuality have made it an appealing destination for those seeking adult entertainment. Cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket have developed reputations for their red-light districts, where various forms of commercial sex work are readily available.Between January and April, Thailand welcomed approximately 8.6 million foreign visitors, accounting for roughly one-third of the annual target. In an effort to bolster tourism, the Thai government has set an ambitious goal of attracting between 25 and 30 million visitors by 2023. However, the recent crackdown on illicit activities in tourist areas signifies a shift towards a more regulated and orderly environment, aimed at providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

In the aftermath of an arrest involving threats of online extortion, Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradet Thammasutee, the Commander of Investigation at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, issued a warning to individuals, particularly butlers and men seeking connections with strangers. He emphasized the importance of not judging a person solely by their appearance.
The Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with the Police Cyber Task (PCT) officers, successfully located and apprehended Mr. Ekapon, also known as Prairie, a 29-year-old individual involved in "joint extortion." The arrest took place at a residence on Phetkasem-Tha Phra Road in Bangkok Yai District, Wat Tha Phra, while Prairie was live streaming online.
Investigations have revealed that Prairie, a transgender woman, employed Twitter as a platform to target male victims using seductive photos. Through chats, she enticed victims into sharing pictures of their genitalia, which she used to determine whether or not to pursue further interactions.
Upon receiving these pictures, Prairie resorted to threats, demanding money from the victims to prevent the exposure of their images on social media or contacting their spouses. The extortion amounts ranged from 500 to 1,000 baht per transaction, occurring multiple times throughout the day. The victims were coerced to transfer funds until reaching a total of 40,000 baht, which eventually prompted one victim to file a lawsuit.

During questioning, Prairie disclosed her identity as a transgender woman who had not undergone sex reassignment surgery. Allegedly, she pursued a career through the M Live app, broadcasting explicit content to an average audience of 10,000 viewers and amassing over 300,000 followers. However, Prairie has denied these claims.
Maj. Gen. Theeradet expressed the belief that numerous criminal organizations may engage in similar activities as Prairie. He highlighted the fact that some victims, fearing repercussions, remained silent about their abuse, with some even contemplating suicide as an escape from their distressing experiences.
In light of these circumstances, Maj. Gen. Theeradet urged the victims to come forward and report their cases to the public relations department. Clues and information can be provided by contacting him through the Facebook page Seub Nakornban IDMB - สืบนครบาล IDMB."