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Is the cost of the bicycle factored into that price? If not, can the bicycle be rented or do you hve to buy one?

The articles do not say whether the latest protest threats would involve a renewed takeover of the airports, but if the voting doesn't go their way on Monday, then those of you traveling to and from Thailand need to be prepared for that possibility. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD Warns of More Protests SURASAK GLAHAN The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced yesterday it will renew its protests if Puea Thai, formed to accommodate MPs of the disbanded People Power party (PPP), returns to lead the next coalition. The Puea Thai party, struggling to take the lead in forming a new government against the Democrat party, hopes tonight's phone-in speech by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will reverse the political tide. Parliament will convene on Monday to vote on a new prime minister. The PAD, which staged a six-month protest against the PPP-led coalition, called off its demonstration after the Constitutional Court dissolved the PPP and its coalition partners - the Chart Thai and Matchima Prachathipataya parties - for electoral fraud on Dec 2. A group of former PPP MPs under the Newin Chidchob faction and most former PPP coalition partners have pledged to back the Democrat party in forming a new government. Having campaigned against Thaksin and the PPP, the PAD leaders said they would not accept a government with the Puea Thai party in it, no matter who was prime minister. "If our call is rejected or ignored, we will carry out moves appropriate to the situation," the PAD said. Although the PAD did not back the Democrat-led alliance, the group did not oppose the idea. It said it would monitor the switch of administrative power to see "whether there will be actions taken against the Thaksin regime". Core PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang declined to say if the group would again close airports if the Puea Thai party is in the next government. The PAD said it should be given the credit for bringing political change. Maj-Gen Chamlong denied, however, that his group always intended to help the Democrats come to power. The PAD does not support any particular party but what happened recently could be considered a result of its campaign, he said. If the Democrats succeed in forming the government, the PAD would not seek any favours from it. The group's demands include scrapping huge investment projects initiated by the Samak Sundaravej government. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ We'll Block Any New Thaksin Puppet : PAD By The Nation Published on December 13, 2008 Chamlong Says Movement Has No Plan for New Party The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday issued a statement threatening to revive street protests if the Pheu Thai Party pushed through a coalition alliance, in any shape or form, or managed to install a puppet prime minister. "The PAD absolutely opposes the installation of a Pheu Thai puppet prime minister or any prime minister allowing Pheu Thai to be part of the coalition government," it said in the statement. It lashed out at alleged attempts to offer monetary incentives for MPs to vote in favour of the Pheu Thai-led coalition. It also vowed to keep monitoring the situation with the aim of derailing any effort to pave the way for the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to politics. PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the incoming government should urgently tackle 13 issues. The issues include the prosecution of anti-coup activists, including former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair on a charge of lese majeste and reaffirmation that the charter rewrite will not veer off to whitewash Thaksin's wrongdoing. The government should expedite wrapping up the backlog of graft cases, including the alleged land scam in Buri Ram involving the family of faction-leader Newin Chidchob, in spite of his about-face to support the Democrat-led coalition, Suriyasai said. He also called for an immediate cancellation of the diplomatic passport issued to Thaksin and a speedy prosecution of culprits involved in the October 7 violent crackdown. PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang dismissed the speculation about forming a political party based on the sentiment generated by PAD-led street protests, arguing that the PAD could as it was pushing for changes that major parties were unable to accomplish. Chamlong said the PAD would try to keep alive its popular movement by holding a meeting about once a month so as to allow its supporters to keep in touch with one another. He said litigation relating to PAD-led street protests would proceed under prescribed procedures, dismissing concerns that the PAD would pressure the Democrat-led government to interfere with the legal proceedings. PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk said he suspected police might try to frame the PAD. It was, for instance, suspicious, that police had uncovered explosives at Government House several days after the PAD vacated and handed over the compound. PAD co-leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon said he anticipated no message of significance from today's phone-in by Thaksin. There is no point in hyping up Thaksin's remarks, he said.

At this point, all that has been said is whatever appears in the articles. The articles do specify that the ages of the boys are under 15 years old, but nothing more specific has come out yet.

Contest results will be announced at the Meet & Greet tonight and the prize will be given. Congratulations TOQ. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

Contest results will be announced and the prize given at the Meet & Greet tonight. Congratulations George. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

It certainly looks like you're having a great time! So far, my favorite part of the story was when you were expecting the cute bellhop and ended up with the 80 year old woman. Well, at least no one could accuse you of being a pedophile! I like that photo of the boy from the Tak Bike Club. Bring him back to Pattaya, willya? Is everyone who began the trip still doing it, or have there been dropouts? Also, how much would you say this whole trip costs?

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: (see http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008010 for photos) Somehow, I don't see them buying their way out of this one . . . . . _____ POLICE NAB FOUR FOREIGNERS IN PATTAYA PAEDOPHILE CRACKDOWN Police have arrested four foreigners, including two British nationals, one German and a US citizen in a crackdown on sexual abuse of minors in Pattaya, police said Thursday. Yesterday, [1 November] police Major-General Chaiwat said the Pattaya clean-up, conducted from November 17 to Thursday, had been assisted by tip-offs from the UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOPC). "There are foreign nationals and networks facilitating sexual abuse of minors in Thailand so we needed to crack down on the crime," said police Major-General Chaiwat Kaetworachai, commander of Thailand's Prevention of Crimes Against Women and Children police division. Netted in the crackdown were two British nationals, Malcolm Henry Payne, 59, and Robert Alexander Horsman, 45, were arrested at different locations between 6am and 7am. A 67-year-old German man, Fritz Dieter Battener, and 62-year-old American Robert Roy Lond were also arrested in Pattaya following a joint operation between the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the Royal Thai Police. All four men were arrested and charged with sexually abusing children under the age of 15. The arrests were made as part of operation Naga, which began earlier this year after CEOP identified an online network of suspected child abusers. Police also laid out a large amount of sexual paraphernalia which they said had been recovered during the raids. Officers said they had recovered hundreds of photos and videos of abused young boys. Also arrested was Thai national Saeng Kaetdee (30) (นายเอกนรินทร์ ชัยเจริญโชคดี หรือนายแสง เกตุดี ) on procurement charges. All five were brought to Bangkok Thursday to face charges and court cases. They have been freed on bail to await a court case. If they are found guilty they could face at least 20 years in jail.

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Pattaya International Mardi Gras Festival Announcement On Friday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Wirawat, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya chaired a preparation meeting to discuss plans for the Pattaya International Mardi Gras which is set to take place on 23rd January 2009. This will be the first ever Mardi Gras Festival here in Pattaya and will be based on Mardi Gras celebrations around the world. The highlight of the festival will be an Electric Parade which will take place in the evening. It will start at Pattaya City Hall and finish on Pattaya Beach close to the Central Pattaya Road intersection. Local Schools and Private Companies will be taking part in the parade which will be colorful and full of energy according to the organizers who are Pattaya City Hall and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Sponsors for the event include the Central Pattana Group and various Pattaya Tourism and Hotel clubs. ____________________ You know what I like best about the plan? January 23, 2009 is a Friday.

It's not just the US dollar. Today, with the exception of the Euro, all the major western currencies slid against the baht. I have given up trying to understand why. It would seem to me that in light of all the turmoil in Thailand and the residual effects, the baht would have fallen against other major currencies. Is there anyone out there who knows enough about economics who can explain it to those of us who don't understand? I was expecting the baht to be in the 36's against the US dollar by now. Instead, it's back in the 34's. What's keeping the baht so strong?

They may be able to buy their way out of it as far as their troubles with the Thai authorities are concerned, but that doesn't mean they're going to come out of this unscathed. If nothing else, it's going to cost them a fortune. I'm also not so quick to assume they can buy their way out of it at all. It used to be easy to do if you had the money, but now it's not so simple, especially if there has been publicity, and often enough you can't buy your way out of this kind of trouble no matter how much money you can come up with. You also have to factor in that a UK-based NGO is involved. That alone could spell trouble for these guys. The problem is there is rarely any follow-up to these news items, so it might be very difficult to discover what ends up happening to them. But one thing is certain, whether they can buy their way out of trouble or not. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. The part that makes it to my "I Don't Get It" list is the fact that pedophiles still take the risk in Thailand. I find it very difficult to make sense out of it considering that so many have been caught and that it is so simple to find legal-age boys who look so much younger than they actually are. Whatever it is that makes them do these things, I just don't understand it. Once again, though, whether the charges against these men are true or not, their arrest had nothing to do with the bars. It is rare for arrests to occur when people take a boy off from a bar. In the vast majority of cases, it's people who are doing things with under-age boys elsewhere.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Waiting on Thaksin By Post Reporters The possible line-up for a Democrat-led government is emerging, but the Puea Thai party still hopes to break up this new alliance with a phone-in speech on Saturday by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The political gamesmanship is certain to intensify now that House Speaker Chai Chidchob has called a special session on Monday to elect a new prime minister. His Majesty the King has approved the sitting. The Democrat-led alliance, comprising four small parties and a powerful faction led by Newin Chidchob, has agreed in principle on the allocation of cabinet seats. The Democrats have agreed to give 5 or 6 seats, including the major portfolios of transport, deputy transport and deputy interior minister to the Friends of Newin faction. The faction's candidates for cabinet posts are Boonchong Wongtrairat, Supachai Phosu, Suchart Chokechaiwattana, Prachak Kaewkla and Sophon Sarum. The Democrats have agreed with Banharn Silpa-archa, the former leader of the dissolved Chart Thai party, that his new Chart Thai Pattana party will retain five cabinet seats. Puea Pandin, which is said to be bargaining hard, expects five portfolios. It also hopes to enlist five more MPs, from the dissolved People Power party, and will then negotiate for extra seats. Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana wants two seats - energy and deputy finance minister - while the dissolved Matchimathipataya party, which is looking to re-register as a new party, has proposed switching the natural resources and environment portfolio for the commerce minister's seat. A source in the Puea Thai party, formed to take in MPs from the dissolved PPP, said the party expects to take in at least 10 more MPs after Thaksin's phone-in. The party has been pushing, through Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong, for Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok to be prime minister. Natthawut Saikua, of Puea Thai, said MPs should listen hard to what Thaksin has to say. "They should also realise who had them elected as MPs in the first place," he said. Pongpan Sunthornchai said the Puea Thai party and people from Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana will hold a press conference on Friday. He claimed Pol Gen Pracha and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro have agreed to form a government with Puea Thai, after being approached by Thaksin. Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban admitted he is concerned about Thaksin's planned phone-in to the red-shirt rally. Thaksin still had a lot of political muscle to flex. However, he remained confident the alliance would hold together. The Democrats have asked their allies to be careful in picking candidates for cabinet posts, he said. They should all be well-respected and qualified. "The goal of the formation of the government is to serve the public's needs," he said. Details of the allocation of cabinet seats would be finalised after the selection of the prime minister. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was nothing more than the national interest in the deal between the Democrats and Mr Newin. Mr Newin had warned him there would be criticism about their public meeting on Tuesday, he said. "But after he decided to work with us, and was under great pressure, I thought I should meet him and deal with it straightforwardly," he said. Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong stuck to his plan to form a government of national unity, saying Pol Gen Pracha would persuade the Democrat party to change its mind and join the ranks. "If they want me to form a government, they should leave me to do the job. There must not be a phone-in or a red-shirt rally," he said. Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda admitted he had talked with core members of political parties over the formation of a new government. He reminded them to make decisions that would take the country forward and restore peace and order."We have security problems and society is counting on us to restore normality. Some issues have nothing to do with the military, but society is pinning its hopes on us," he said.

Friday, December 12 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 34.85 Euro: 46.095 British Pound: 52.185 Australian Dollar: 23.175 Canadian Dollar: 28.0825 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 34.78 Euro: 46.31 British Pound: 51.935 Australian Dollar: 22.7125 Canadian Dollar: 27.7975

If you have not yet voted in either of these contests, now's the time. The winners will receive their prizes Saturday night, December 13.

I'm not sure I would equate plain-clothes police officers with the usual type of raid. I have a feeling that it's more likely to be that one or more of the pedophile suspects they have been pursuing is still at large and they're trying to hunt him down. That's what it seems like to me, anyway.

Well, that's it then. If you want these Emails, just don't sign up for them. If you don't want these Emails, do sign up or them. Sounds like the embassy has been in Thailand too long . . .

I suppose that's possible, but if they are able to do that, it's going to cost them a fortune, not to mention the reception committee that will be waiting for them when they arrive back in their home country. You can't always buy your way out of these things. "Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, "Little Big Man"

What fees are charged for that service?

Thursday, December 11 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 35.16 Euro: 45.685 British Pound: 51.995 Australian Dollar: 22.975 Canadian Dollar: 27.8425 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 34.83 Euro: 45.80 British Pound: 52.11 Australian Dollar: 22.97 Canadian Dollar: 27.775

That would be correct if the airlines are still flying the same number of flights per day or per week as they were last year. I don't know if the airlines have cut back the number of flights they are running, but if they have, a full flight still may not mean as many people are making the trip as this time last year. Judging from the numbers of farang I'm seeing in town, in bars, and on the beaches, the tourism industry is in for a huge loss.

I never thought about that. I always thought it was wage plus commission. I didn't realize that it's commission only. In some of the bars there are boys that show up to freelance dance whenever they wish (or do the "one-knee shuffle"). They are not paid. They're hoping to be taken off and get whatever they can get from the farang. The bar still charges an off fee for them, though. I think they also get their commission if a farang buys a drink for them.

Wednesday, December 10: Today is a public holiday. Exchange rates are not published today.

Poor service is definitely not exclusive to Thailand. In the USA, nearly every time I was in a grocery store trying to find something, if I asked an employee something like, "Where is the tartar sauce?", the answer would almost invariably be, "Aisle 6." On the rare occasions when the employee would actually take a moment to personally show me to the item, I would make sure to commend him to the store manager. Sometimes the service is much better here in Thailand. In places such as grocery stores, hardware stores, etc, whenever I ask an employee where an item is, he will almost invariably take me to it. My peeve is more with certain policies at some of the local stores. For example, when I first moved to Thailand, my boyfriend wanted a beanbag chair. We went to a local hardware store where they were advertising a promotion for them at 1400 baht. He picked out the chair he liked and we went to the cash register. A tag that said 1400 baht was attached to the chair. The cashier rang up the sale at 2000 baht. I called him on it. He said, "Promotion finish yesterday." I showed him the price tag and pointed out that the bean bag chairs on display had a big sign in front of them that also said 1400 baht. He wouldn't budge. I asked to see the manager. A girl came over, who was no more the store manager than I was. I pointed out all of this to her too. She also wouldn't budge. She said the reason the prices were still in place was because they didn't have time yet to re-do the price tags. I mentioned the fact that it is 3:30pm and the store has been open since 10:00am. She still wouldn't budge. I asked her if the store intends to honor the price shown on the item or not. The answer was no. A farang standing behind me and listening told me that he had recently spent a lot of money in the same store on floor tiles. He told me that a few boxes of them contained broken tiles. He returned those boxes to the store only a few hours after having bought and opened them, but the store refused to refund his money or even exchange the broken tiles. Needless to say, that's one store where I no longer shop. But not all stores cheat customers in that manner. One store that I do like is Big-C. Whenever I buy some sort of appliance or electronic device there, they always open the box and make sure the unit is working before I purchase it. Then they carefully re-pack the box. I bought a washing machine at Big-C. It came with a 1-year warranty. About two months later it broke down. I went back to Big-C with the warranty paperwork. They told me it's too late to replace the machine, but they told me where I could go locally to have the machine repaired under the warranty. There was no problem at all and my machine was promptly repaired with no charge to me. Several months ago I bought a DVD player at Carrefour. In the store a check was done and it worked just fine. Of course, as soon as I got it home it wouldn't work. I took it back to Carrefour. They tested the unit and they also couldn't get it to work. They told me it must be a defective unit and they immediately replaced it with another one. They checked that one too and it was working. When I got it home it was working and that's the unit I've been using ever since. Those are the kinds of stores where I prefer to shop. They do stand behind what they sell and they live up to their promises if anything goes wrong.

The following appears in the Bangkok Post: _____ Tourism Losses Could Hit 130-bln Baht The tourism industry may lose up to 130 billion baht of revenues because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor for international marketing Santichai Euachongprasit said on Tuesday. According to the initial assessment, the number of foreign tourists between December 2008 and April 2009 could drop by 2.3 million and the loss of revenues should be around 86 billion to 130 billion baht. The decrease would be about 40 to 50 per cent when compared to the same period of the previous year. Mr Santichai said the TAT initially aimed to welcome 16 million tourists, but the number could be slashed to 14 million due to the political and economic crises. The TAT will fine-tune its marketing plan by emphasising on restoring tourist confidence. Previously, the authority proposed the "Seven Wonders" campaign to promote important tourist destinations in the country next year, but it will also try to restore the national image by apologising to tourists who were affected by the seizure of airports by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and beefing up security measures. The TAT in cooperation with the private sector will come up with different tourism campaigns and promotions to draw in more tourists as well.

It isn't just Thailand, folks. Welcome to corruption, American style: _____ Illinois Governor Arrested in Obama Successor Probe AP - CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on charges that accuse him of trying to benefit from his ability to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Attorney in Chicago says federal investigators bugged Blagojevich's campaign offices and placed a tap on his home phone. At a news conference on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the corruption charges represent "a truly new low." An FBI affidavit says the 51-year-old Democrat was intercepted on wiretaps conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife. FBI chief Robert Grant says even seasoned investigators were stunned by what they heard on those tapes. Fitzgerald described the situation by saying: "We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to stop it." The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

In the film, when the attorney first starts talking to von Bulow, he says, "You have one thing in your favor. Everybody hates you." von Bulow responds with, "Well . . . . . that's a start."