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"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix" - Dan Quayle

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Korn: Strong Baht a Concern Liquidity to be Used on Raw Material Imports By: PARISTA YUTHAMANOP Published: 6/06/2009 A strengthening baht due to problem-solving measures in the US and the rising price of crude will be new challenges for economic recovery in the near future, according to Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij. The US dollar is likely to weaken in the near future as the Federal Reserve continues to inject cash into the economy to resolve credit constraints and offset declining demand in treasury bills from abroad, he said. Crude oil prices yesterday rallied to $70 per barrel due to increased demand. Thailand would be affected as it is a major importer of oil, said Mr Korn. "The Fed needs to keep injecting cash for a while. One positive from this action is that demand will be sustained. But it is unavoidable that it will lead to upward pressure on prices, and increased manufacturing will also affect oil prices," he said. The government's 1.4-trillion-baht investment plan, mainly for small and medium-scale projects, should stimulate the economy for the medium term. Screened projects for investment are the ones ready for use, he said. "We will use domestic liquidity to import raw materials. This will reduce pressure on the baht. The government's position is clear: when the private sector is not ready and there is plenty of liquidity, it will spend," said Mr Korn. "Public debt will rise to 60% of gross domestic product over the next two years, which we think is acceptable." Speaking at an economic seminar, he said the government plans to embark on Southern Seaboard development to create a seaport and transport link between the eastern and western coast, as well as building a dual-track train network stretching from North to South and West to East, as long-term economic restructuring measures. Olarn Chaipravat, a former deputy prime minister, said the government should ensure foreign exchange did not hurt export revenue when other currencies were converted to baht. A weak currency helped South Korea's growth in the first quarter of the year, he said. He asked the Finance Ministry to push special financial institutions to lend to businesses. Mr Korn, however, rejected the idea, saying lending should target boosting consumer purchasing power rather than helping firms. Dr Olarn also said the government needed to rethink its automobile industry strategy, in light of greater focus from China and the US in the future. Meanwhile M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, a former deputy prime minister, urged the government and local investors to be cautious with the global economic recovery as increasing consumer demand is not yet firm. One factor is that an increase in US manufacturing in March offset a huge rundown in inventories from the fourth quarter of 2008. Another is that its retail sales remain weak. "Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea have benefited from China because its economic growth was driven by final demand rather than exports," he said. M.R. Pridiyathorn said purchasing power in rural Thailand could decrease in the second half of the year as merchants expect the government to sell paddy from its inventories at a cheaper price than it paid farmers.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Cops Top Graft List, Study Finds Of State Agencies, Police Voted 'On the Take' Most Published: 6/06/2009 The police force has topped the list of the most corrupt state agencies, according to a study funded by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The study was revealed at a two-day seminar on corruption suppression and prevention which ends today, organised by the national anti-graft agency. NACC adviser Sirilaksana Khoman, a seminar panelist, cited a study on corruption by Saowanee Thairungroj, vice-rector at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The NACC-commissioned study looked at the attitudes of businessmen who came into contact with state agencies and politicians. The study showed about 40% of businessmen who had experience doing business with government agencies said the police force, including highways and traffic police officers, was the most corrupt state agency. The top five state agencies and officers that businessmen had to pay "extra money" to during the past five months of this year were the Land Department (72.22%), followed by tambon administration organisations (68.52%), provincial administration organisations (60.52%), highways and traffic police (59.08%), and local politicians and influential figures (44.76%). State agencies where most respondents said they experienced graft include the Customs Department (12.2%) followed by tambon administration organisations (7.8%), and the Land Department (4.8%). About 17% of respondents said they had come into contact with corrupt politicians. According to the study, 19% of corrupt practices in the state sector involved officials thinking up unnecessary projects, 14% involved abusing inside information for personal benefits, particularly to buy land, and about 9% was related to bid collusion. The respondents viewed that corruption in state agencies stemmed from the culture and mindset of giving and receiving kickbacks and working environments in government agencies which are conducive to graft. Mrs Sirilaksana said that loopholes and inefficiencies in the administration of the state sector were to blame for the endemic corruption. "The NACC has funded many studies aimed at pointing out the causes of corruption and coming up with suggestions to close the loopholes," Mrs Sirilaksana said. The best way to combat graft was through prevention supported by the government, NACC commissioner Methi Krongkaew said, adding that research into corruption would support the anti-graft agency's preventive measures against graft. Speaking at the seminar, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stressed the need for all sectors of society, particularly young people, to play a part in monitoring and fighting graft. He said the government wanted state agencies to adopt good governance in their organisations.

This is exactly why I keep recommending that everyone who comes to Thailand gets a Thai bank account while you still can. Every two minutes the rules change, and I haven't seen any change to our benefit. They keep making things more difficult. So, at least get a bank account at all while you can. Once again I fail to see the logic. When I first opened my Bangkok Bank account, many moons ago, there was no problem opening the account on the 30 days and no problem getting online banking. Try it now. But WHY? Why on earth would they care whether you have a work permit or not in order to get online banking? I don't have one. I never did. Thank goodness they didn't grandfather in that one. But since I don't have a work permit, obviously my online banking isn't causing them any problems. Who comes up with these kinds of nonsensical rules, anyway?

But how does forcing someone to go into the bank instead of using the cash deposit machine, with that 60 baht fee deducted from his deposit, make more money for the bank?

It's also bizarre. When I was being charged that 30 baht fee, I only had to either accept it or reject the transaction. I wonder why they don't do the same thing for him. Instead of that option, which would take about two seconds, they make him go into the bank and stand on line? That alone would inspire me to find another bank. And even then, he has to be there during the bank's opening hours to make the deposit. Why on earth a bank would want to make deposits a pain-in-the-ass for its own customers, and an expensive one at that, goes beyond me. There must be some form of logic in there somewhere, but it sure escapes me!

Living out here on "The Dark Side," I'm all too familiar with that bypass. So far all it's done is cause traffic problems. It was supposedly going to relieve the traffic congestion on Sukhumvit. I don't see any less traffic on Sukhumvit than before. The problem is not the north-south traffic flow. The problem is the intersections. That's where things get jammed up when people are trying to turn. Of course, Thai drivers simply come out into the path of oncoming cars, block the lane, and then make their turn when they get a traffic break. There are flashing traffic signals at the moment. I hope they convert those to standard traffic signals. That may solve some of the problems.

I'm sure you can. Just ask him. thomasohlson@hotmail.com

Yes. Same thing. The machine accepted the deposits, but there was a note on the screen that there will be a 30 baht charge. However, as I said, they have dropped that policy and they no longer charge for deposits, at least within the same province. In another province I have no idea.

Unfortunately, you can't. The only way Bangkok Bank will allow online access is if you are in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa. I don't know their reason for that policy, but that's the way it is. If you feel that you do have a need for their online banking, then you're going to have to come in on a non-immigrant visa.

For a while, when I would make a cash deposit at Bangkok Bank they were charging me 30 baht to make a deposit, even into my own account. That went on for about two months and then they stopped doing that. I'm trying to figure out what difference it should make whether you are in the province where your account was opened or not. Seems like a rip-off to me, especially 60 baht.

If your established residence is closest to Hua Hin, then if they follow the published rules they're going to make you go to Hua Hin. If you establish a new residence in Chiang Mai, then I would think you can do it in Chiang Mai. People do move, but bear in mind how Thais are treated. Often, even when they move to another province, they still have to go back to their home province to take care of various problems, although much of that has been relaxed now. However, bear in mind that you are in Thailand, and different offices don't seem to have much of a problem about making up their own rules. In your case, the first thing I would do is go to the Chiang Mai immigration office and try to get a residence certificate for your Chiang Mai address. Then, with it (or without it if they won't give you one) I would speak to the officer who handles retirement visas, and ask. If he tells you it's ok for you to renew in Chiang Mai, then that solves your problem. Just remember which officer it was and try to go to the same one when you go in to apply. But having a residence certificate in hand when you ask at least gives you more ammunition. If he tells you that you have to go to Hua Hin, I would still go to the Chiang Mai office when it comes time to apply. Maybe you'll be lucky and he'll either change his mind or someone else will be the officer that day. It can't hurt to try. So, the best I can tell you would be to try to apply in Chiang Mai, but include a strong possibility in your plans that you'll have to go to Hua Hin. Please be sure to let us know what happens.

Actually, I don't rule out the possibility of suicide. Accidental suicide. Every once in a while I read about people who get some sort of sexual satisfaction from being strangled almost to the point of unconsciousness, and they'll often do something to induce it themselves, if they don't have someone to do it for them. I've even read of bizarre incidents in which they accidentally kill themselves. Have a look at the link gay_grampa posted above about Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation. Of course, I know absolutely nothing about Mr. Carradine or whether he was into anything like that, but from the reports being published, despite it being a farfetched possibility, it's still a possibility. Although, the article does say both his hands were bound, I could still envision him having a prostitute in his room with him, requesting that kind of "service," and then the prostitute simply walking out the door and leaving him there, helpless, like that. Considering how weird the whole incident is, that's as good a possibility as any.

I'm too embarrassed to answer . . .

Good point. That's right up there with American Indians being played by everyone except American Indians. Meanwhile, back at the schloss, The Plot Thickens . . . . Here are some more details, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ 'Kung Fu' Star Carradine Dead By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM Published: 5/06/2009 American actor David Carradine has been found dead in a closet in a hotel room in Bangkok. Police have not confirmed whether he took his own life or was murdered. The naked body of the 72-year-old actor was found by a housekeeper in a closet in room number 352 of Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel in the Lumpini area at 11am yesterday. Lumpini police said the body of Carradine was found curled up inside the wardrobe with one end of a shoelace tied around his penis and the other end fastened around his neck. Both of his hands were bound with a cord which was also tied around his neck, said an officer at the station who requested anonymity. Forensic experts said Carradine had probably died between 12 and 24 hours before his body was found. They said there were no injury marks on his body and no evidence of a struggle having taken place in the room. Mysteriously, a footprint found on the bed did not match the shoes worn by Carradine. There was a glass of water in the room. Experts were checking to see if the drink had been tampered with. Police refused to give further details, saying they needed to gather more evidence to determine the cause of death. Carradine was in Bangkok to star in a new movie, Strand. He arrived with a film crew in Bangkok and checked in at the hotel a few days ago. He rose to fame in the TV series Kung Fu, which ran from 1972 to 1975, playing Kwai Chang Caine, a monk and martial arts expert who roamed the American West. He went on to win a Golden Globe best actor award for his role in the movie Bound for Glory, the life story of folk singer Woody Guthrie, in 1976. He also starred in the Quentin Tarantino films Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2, made in 2003 and 2004.

Something is rotten in the state of Bangkok. Certainly I feel very badly for him, whether it was suicide or something more sinister, but where's Miss Marple when you need her?

Currencies may come and go. Industries and economies may collapse. The world may have totally changed. But the "One-Knee Shuffle" goes on forever.

Does it strike anyone besides me as just a little strange that the man would travel all the way to Thailand to make a movie, check in to his hotel, and then less than 2 days later hang himself in his hotel room, while apparently nobody close to him had even an inkling that he was suicidal? Sounds to me more as if he offed the wrong boy.

I think that's an excellent idea. It certainly beats "Pandemic."

For many years, Thomas Ohlson has written a weekly movie guide. Until recently it was available only by Email subscription. Now he has his weekly guide online. Have a look: For Pattaya: http://thomatpattaya.blogspot.com For Chiang Mai: http://thomatfilms.blogspot.com

Actor David Carradine Found Dead in Bangkok The Associated Press 06/04/2009 BANGKOK—Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, Michael Turner, confirmed the death of the 72-year-old actor. He says Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family. The Web site of the newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room and is believed to have committed suicide. Carradine was a leading member of a venerable Hollywood acting family that included his father, character actor John Carradine, and brother Keith. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ David Carradine Found Dead in Bangkok "Kung Fu" and "Kill Bill" star David Carradine was found hung himself in a closet in a hotel room in Bangkok on Wednesday, Thai police said. Police believed he committed suicide. Carradine, 72, was in Bangkok to shoot his latest movie, Stretch, and stayed at a Suite Room 352 of the Park Nai Lert Hotel on Wireless Road since June 2. The film crew were aware of his absence when they went to dine out at a restaurant on Sathorn Road on June 3. Carradine did not show up at the dinner and the team could not reach him. They assumed that he took a rest because of his age. It was a hotel's maid who opened his suite on Thursday at 10 am only to find Carradine in a closet. He was described as behind half naked. Police investigation showed that he hung himself with a rope, the kind that is used with curtains. Police said he was dead for not less than 12 hours and found no sign of fighting and assaults. His personal manager, Chuck Binder, told BBC that the news was "shocking", adding: "He was full of life, always wanting to work... a great person." Aside from Quentin Tarantino's two-part "Kill Bill" in 2003 and 2004, Carradine was perhaps best known for his role as the fugitive half-Chinese Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s easternwestern TV drama "Kung Fu". He also starred in Martin Scorsese's "Boxcar Bertha" in 1972, portrayed folksinger Woody Guthrie in "Bound for Glory" in 1976, acted in Ingmar Bergman's "The Serpent's Egg" in 1977 and co-starred with half brothers Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine in the 1980 western "The Long Riders". His father was the noted actor John Carradine. In Thai cinemas, Carradine was recently seen as a martial arts guru in the Rob Schneider comedy "Big Stan" and as a perverted elderly Chinese mobster in "Crank: High Voltage" starring Jason Statham.

Nothing has changed.

It would be hard on them even if they did get paid. They depend on being taken off more than they depend on what the bar will give them. But with so few customers, boys who were used to being taken off several times each month are complaining that now they are lucky if they are taken off once a month or even once every two or three months.

Thank you for letting us know. I'm sure we all hope he will pull through. Please keep us informed if you can.

That's where you're getting confused. Yes, the US Embassy official probably said that, but he was not referring to what the embassy requires. He was referring to what the Thai Immigration offices might require. To date, the US Embassy only requires you, your passport, the form filled out (which is quite simple and probably takes less than a minute - bring a pen), and swearing before their notary that you are telling the truth about your income. Oh yes . . . they also require 1200 baht. Don't forget that the US Embassy now prefers that you make an appointment with them. They no longer will make appointments by telephone. You can make your appointment online: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.as...K&appcode=1