TasteAtlas, a travel guide platform, has recently ranked Pa thong ko, a beloved fried dough snack in Thailand, as the fifth-best 'street food sweet' in the world. The reviewer on TasteAtlas provides a delectable description of how the snack is made: "Pa thong ko is Thailand's take on the well-known Chinese crullers known as youtiao. To create the crullers, a combination of flour, yeast, baking ammonia, alum powder, lukewarm water, salt, sugar, and baking powder is kneaded into dough.

The dough is then coated in oil, left to rest, and cut into long strips. Pairs of strips are meticulously attached to one another to achieve the crullers' iconic shape before being deep-fried in hot oil until they are a gorgeous color, puffy, and slightly crispy. Over time, innovative ways of shaping the crullers beyond their conventional form have surfaced, and now, pa thong ko can be found in a variety of unique shapes, such as dinosaurs or dragons."

In today's stream we come to you live from Phil's Coffee, reviewing and discussing news and topics related to life in Thailand.

Phil's Coffee
65/1 Sukhumvit 49/2 (Sukhumvit 51)
North Klongtan, Wattana
Bangkok, 10110 Thailand
Direction: Last shop house on the left at the end of Sukhumvit 51 Hours:
Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm ( Closed Tuesday )
Sat - Sun, 9am - 5pm

To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, women's rights groups in Thailand have launched a campaign to legalize sex work and to provide better support for women in the industry. The groups argue that decriminalizing sex work would provide greater protection to workers in the industry.

They also called for broader measures to support women, such as doubling paid maternity leave to 180 days, providing period leave for workers who suffer from menstrual pains, and monthly financial assistance of 3,000 baht ($86USD) for each month of pregnancy.

Additionally, they are demanding safe, free, and easily accessible abortion services, and for 8 March to be recognized as a public holiday.

Despite being a popular destination for tourists who want to explore its infamous Red Light District filled with go-go bars, brothels, massage parlors, and other x-rated activities, sex work in Thailand is still illegal. As a result, sex workers face danger without the basic rights and protections afforded to workers in other industries.

In a recent interview with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Supachai Sukthongsa of the Service Workers IN Group (SWING) highlighted that the move to legalize sex work in Thailand is not just about money, but also about the health effects on sex workers. He noted that many workers in the sex trade experience stress symptoms and anxiety attacks related to their survival.

In contrast to the women's rights groups, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sent his "well-wishes" to women and emphasized the government's efforts to empower women and promote attitude change towards women’s roles in society in his message commemorating IWD.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is upgrading its security screening facility at the departure terminal, which may cause some inconvenience to departing passengers. To minimize disruptions, the airport has alerted travelers to potential delays as certain checkpoints will be partially closed during renovations.

The upgrades will see the installation of an automated tray return system at security checkpoints, where passengers' carry-on bags are scanned for prohibited items. This will help increase checkpoint capacity from 3,300 passengers per hour to 6,650, resulting in a faster process and less congestion at the airport.

To handle the current situation, the airport is increasing staff members to assist passengers and working closely with immigration police to ensure an adequate number of personnel at passport control. Nevertheless, departing passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their departure time to avoid any unexpected situations.

In response to dangerously high levels of air pollution caused by forest fires, Chiang Mai authorities in northern Thailand will distribute face masks to the public. The fires are an annual problem, occurring between December and April when farmers burn their fields to prepare for the next crop cycle. The government has closed several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the north and west due to the fires, and cloud-seeding is expected to be used in some areas. Despite efforts to extinguish the fires, including water drops from helicopters, the dry weather conditions have made it difficult to control them.
To reduce dust levels in Chiang Mai, authorities have sprayed water mist along the roads and collected leaves to prevent fires from spreading. However, the city was recently ranked as the worst in the world for air pollution by IQAir, with PM2.5 particulate matter levels reaching 117 micrograms per cubic metre. The public has been advised to avoid outdoor activities, use N95 masks or air purifiers, and seek medical care if they experience symptoms such as respiratory tract problems, dermatitis, or eye inflammation.

The persistent annual haze caused by the fires may negatively impact tourism in Chiang Mai, a popular destination known for its mountainous landscapes. According to the president of Chiang Mai’s Tourism Industrial Council, companies offering outdoor activities have seen a decrease in demand. Bangkok has also experienced dangerous levels of pollution, with PM2.5 levels reaching 94.2µg/m³ and ranking among the top 10 worst cities globally by IQAir. While the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment expects southern winds to help clear particulate matter from Bangkok’s air, northern provinces are predicted to experience high dust levels for another week.

Read the story of Mark Frerichs, the American contractor captured by the Taliban and held hostage for over two years.  
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/an-abandoned-american-hostage-finally-makes-it-home

I'll be interviewing Mark some time in the next week. Mark has been to Thailand numerous times and was on the verge of moving here a little more than three years ago before being captured.

Once the date of my interview is finalized I'll put up the link where you can watch.

An aggressive wild elephant in rural Chachoengsao province in Thailand pushed over a truck after the driver failed to wait for the animal to cross the road.

Living in Thailand on a budget can be a rewarding experience for those seeking adventure, culture, and affordability. With $130 (4500 baht) or more, you can stretch your dollars to enjoy delicious street food, affordable housing, and explore the vibrant local scene.

The question is, what's your budget and what do you want out of it? How low are you willing to go? Join us as we share our insider tips on living well on a budget in Thailand.

American Documentary and Animation Film Festival https://www.amdocfilmfest.com

Live from Ceresia Coffee Roasters
https://ceresiacoffeeroasters.com
https://goo.gl/maps/YGkBPPGC55UbjX8y8

593/29-41 Sukhumvit Road (Soi 33/1),
Klongton Nua, Wattana, 10110
Bangkok, Thailand (Opposite Fuji Super).
Tel: (66) 982 514 327

BTS Phrom Phong
Email: ceresiacoffee@gmail.com
Open everyday including public holidays: 8am to 5pm.
(WIFI available)

The Thai government has high hopes for its Long Term Residence visa program, which is expected to attract one million foreigners over the next five years, aiding post-pandemic tourism and economic growth. According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of Thailand's Board of Investment, 2,800 foreigners have applied for the visas since its launch on September 1, 2020, with retirees accounting for 35% of applications, as reported by Thai media.

To be eligible for the visa program, foreigners must meet certain requirements, such as holding at least $1 million in assets, having a validated annual personal income of a minimum of $80,000 for the past two years, and making an investment of at least $500,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property. Retirees aged 50 years and older with an annual pension or stable income of at least $80,000 per year at the time of application are also eligible.

Thanks to its open visa policy, Thailand welcomed 11 million foreign visitors last year, with its tourism industry being one of the fastest in the region to recover post-Covid lockdowns. The Thai government is aiming to attract 30 million foreign arrivals this year, with the Long Term Residence visa program being a key contributor to this target.