Yawn: Thai Football

AFC Women’s Asian Cup (Ho Chi Minh)

Thailand       0 

South Korea 7

Thailand target improvement - Bangkok Post

Rainy Season to arrive end of May

National News Bureau of Thailand
Meteorological Department- Thailand will enter the rainy season by the end of May

The recent plentiful rains we've experienced have been coming from the north (China), not normally associated with the rainy season.

Weather patterns are beginning change

Temperatures should begin to drop somewhat after midweek, 
from the upper 30's to the lower 30'.  Same for the  feels like temperatures  from the upper 40's to the lower 40s.

Currently we are seeing a phenomenon quite common to  this area.

I call it the doughnut-hole effect.  Possibly a result of the Phu Phan mountains 

The rainy season generally peaks mid July with storms coming from the east. Buddhist Lent also known as rains retreat begins July 12.  It's time for study and meditation.

Contrary to rumours, monks are not restricted to temple grounds during this period, and can be seen in the general public.

Expat Dine & Drink

Apple

Pit Stop

Roadhouse

New Item at Apples beginning Friday

Nicely seasoned Steamed Chicken. Served with rice and spicy sauce 79 baht

Also regular cut Steak dinners this Friday at 199 baht

Whose 'calculator' do you trust?

Tourism is down, how much?

Recent headlines proclaim 30 to 50%

• Thailand's protests hit tourism, Chinese arrivals down 50% - Thailand Business News
• (30% cancellations) Indian travellers cut short Thailand story as violence rises again - Business Standard

And now the Official version:

• According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data  International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a decline of 4.91%, January to April.

There's some interesting statistical charts of arrivals by country. China and Russia seem to dominate that list.  For April US arrivals seem no longer high enough to be included in the graph

No gain at the end of the day

• Protests at fast food restaurants in 150 cities across the world

Fast Food Strike Progress Measured in Pennies, Not Dollars - TIME.com

Opinion: When Thailand's labourers received a 50% minimum wage increase (or more, depending on location), costs of all goods and services shot up 'overnight.' 

Many minimum wage earners actually wound up being able to afford less than before.

Thai agency urges reform of fuel taxes Oiltrends

My crystal ball tells me there's a price hike being hatched

Expat Dine & Drink

Apple

Pit Stop

Roadhouse

Sakon City Visakha Bucha Celebrations

An estimate by N.N.T. that over ten thousand people joined the religious ceremony seems overestimated.  But it sounds good

Bangkok: Overnight attackleaves 22 wounded, two dead

Thai protesters aren't satisfied yet

• ""The remnants of her (Yingluck Shinawatra) government are clinging to power, leaving the two sides as deadlocked as ever.