Gaybutton

I doubt that. I keep saying it, but nobody listens. I know who ought to become Thailand's next Prime Minister:

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Potjaman Back Khunying Potjaman, the ex-wife of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra, returned to Thailand Friday night and was whisked away from the airport in a van as political circles buzzed with speculation over the timing of her trip. Rumours of her return have been going around for at least two weeks. Many believe that the couple divorced for convenience, since most of Thaksin's frozen assets are in his ex-wife's name. Khunying Potjaman could start legal action to try to regain the 72 billion baht in frozen assets. Some believe she may also take a hand in the troubles of the ruling People Power party, now known as Puea Thai, and the efforts to name a new prime minister. Parliament is due to meet on Monday to nominate and elect a new prime minister. She arrived on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong, with her son and daughter. "She was on flight TG607. She travelled under her former last name "Damapong," an airline official said. Former members of the People Power Party, the political party affiliated with Thaksin that ruled in coalition until its forced disbandment on Tuesday, were at Suvarnabhumi airport to greet Khunying Potjaman along with her son Pantongtae and daughter Pinthongta as they left through a private exit. She will face legal action for her flight from justice last August, but authorities said she was not under an arrest warrant. Khunying Potjaman was convicted on July 31 of evading billions of baht in taxes and sentenced to three years in prison. She appealed that case, was released on bail and left the country the same day. She was declared innocent in the Ratchadaphisek land-sale case at the Supreme Court a month later. Judges found Thaksin guilty of influence peddling and he remains at large as a fugitive. The couple were divorced in Hong Kong on Nov 14.

That's just what TOQ said would happen: Gay venues closed, girlie bars business as usual.

For those of you concerned about Kevin Quill, I'm not going to go into all the details of the history of his problems, but I do know that many of you are interested in his condition and his prospects of being sent back to the UK. I have been asked not to reveal the source of this information: "The UK's Foreign Office has now advised Mr. Quill that they cannot assist him in trying to go home to the UK for medical treatment; first, because the cancer, according to Bumrungrad Hospital medical reports, has been cleared or is in remission and, second, because he has shown that he can have his condition competently treated in Bangkok at Bumrungrad Hospital and, in their opinion, better than he would be if he was being treated by the National health service in the UK. "Apparently he will have to serve at least one more year at the prison in Bangkok before he can be considered for repatriation under the prisoner exchange program to serve out his sentence in the UK. Normally, repatriation would not be considered until half of his six-year sentence is complete, which would be another 2 years before the Thai system would accept the paperwork."

I appreciate that.

The airport is open and flights are beginning to operate. However, the political problems are far from over. The rival parties are, of course, in a new dispute over who the next Prime Minister will be. Just to add fuel to the fire, Pojamon, Thaksin's technically ex-wife, is returning to Thailand. Her plane is due in at the very moment I'm writing this post. Of course, the rumors are already circulating as to why she is picking just now to return and why she is returning at all. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Suvarnabhumi Airport Resumes Full Service Suvarnabhumi International Airport officially resumed full service again at 11am on Friday after thousands of anti-government protesters ended their weeklong siege at the airport on Wednesday. Large number of passengers lined up at check-in counters since 6am, altogether in a festive atmosphere. Traditionally-clad dancers and rural kathin players beating gongs and drums greeted departing passengers with apologies from the people of Thailand, in elegant processions organised by the Ministry of Culture. The first three flights were Thai Airways International, Thai Air Asia, and Bangkok Airways, while varied international airlines were to gradually resume their flights later in the day, with it being expected that a total of more than 100 flights would operate Friday. Acting Transport Minister Santi Prompat had inspected the readiness of the airport as officials from many agencies including the Department of Civil Aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Air Transport Association and the Airport Operation Committee who together observed the airport in operation on Friday morning to ensure passenger safety and security. Customs Department director general Uthit Thammawathin said the department - and Thailand -- had suffered the loss of revenue from taxes and duties amounting to hundreds of million baht as many cargo shipments were stranded because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Personally, I wouldn't call the prices a bargain, but knowing the quality and service at Casa Pascal, I also don't see the prices as outrageous. It's definitely expensive by Pattaya standards and I can't afford the New Year's Eve dinner . . . but if I could, I'd be there.

Wednesday, December 10 is Thailand's Constitution Day holiday. It is a public holiday. The banks and government offices will be closed, but there should be no problem about the bars being open.

You say 'had' as if it's a thing of the past. It goes on to this very day. The trick is not caring about what the critics think. If that bothered me I would have been gone from the boards years ago. I've said it many times: No matter what you do, somebody doesn't like what you do. So, I do things the way I think they ought to be done and pay very little attention to what somebody else thinks I ought to do or what they think of me. That's their problem, not mine. The only critic that concerns me is the one I see when I look in a mirror, and he can be the harshest critic of all.

Which ones are those? I personally went around to at least a dozen bars last night and every one of them told me they, and all the bars, will be closed, which is why I put up this notice. If your information is different, then I guess people will just have to go out and see for themselves.

Friday, December 5 Today rates are not posted due to His Majesty, the King's birthday. Rates will be posted again on Monday.

I think you'll find the information you seek on the following thread: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2637

The extension is ten days. They don't have a per-day charge. I don't remember what they charge because I've never had a need to do it, but if I remember correctly, it's somewhere between 1000 and 2000 baht. Maybe someone who has done it can post the actual fee.

Most of the time, if you arrive in Thailand without a visa and wish to stay beyond the 30 days, you can buy an extension at the Immigration office. Usually they give you ten days. After that, you can do a visa run and get that 15 days MonkeySee posted about, assuming the information is correct. That's 55 days. For those who wish to stay that long, it seems to me getting the 60-day tourist visa in the first place is the easiest and least expensive way to do it. If you want to stay even longer, and are not eligible for the retirement visa, try to get the Type O-A visa. That one is good for a year. I believe the only obligation is to do the 90-day address reports during your stay. For what it's worth, in the USA the Miami Thai Consulate is very easy to work with, but they might not help you if you don't have an address in Florida or at least somewhere in the southeast of the USA. If you know someone in Florida who doesn't mind you using his address, then you'll probably be able to get that O-A visa.

I know just the person for you to contact. You'll receive an Email from me shortly.

You won't find much in the way of Gay activity in that area (unless you happen to encounter a willing young gentleman by chance). Once you've seen the ruins (you might want to see if you can find an English speaking guide, so you'll know what you're looking at), head for Bang Pa In. The roads to get there are clearly marked. You don't want to miss the Bang Pa In Palace.

I think when Geezer spots this post he'll be able to fill you in better than I. First, 1 day is not nearly enough. If you can plan on two or three days, that's how much time you'll want to be there. You might want to stay at the Resotel. Again, Geezer can tell you much more than I. Of course, there is the actual Bridge on the River Kwai there. If you like Thai food, as you face the bridge you'll see stairs that lead down to the river. There is a restaurant on the left side and another one on the right side. Go to the one on the right side. Not too far out of town there is a natural hot spring. To me, it's a "don't miss." Also, try to get to the Sai Yok Noi waterfall. Not only do you not have to hike to get to it (it's nearly adjacent to the main highway), but it's a spectacular waterfall, one of the finest in Thailand. And with all the recent rains it ought to be fantastic now. There are also barge trips and boat trips up the river. Do at least one of those. I know of no specific Gay activity there, but I do know if you hunt around, there are available boys. At any of these places you posted about, there really isn't very much in the way of gay activity. The best chance of finding someone, I think, is to talk privately with a friendly hotel staff member, like a bellhop or someone similar. Let him know what you're looking for and slip him 500 baht or so. He'll very likely be able to help you make an 'arrangement.' Taxi drivers can be pretty good at coming up with willing young gents too.

The title of this thread explains it. Friday, December 5 is His Majesty, the King's birthday. In Pattaya the bars will be closed. I imagine all bars throughout Thailand will do the same, out of respect. The White Night restaurant will also be closed. It will be only for the one night. On Saturday everything will be open.

Since obtaining that information, have you been to Samui? If yes, what can you tell us?

The following appears on the Thai Airways web site: (see: http://www.thaiair.com/Homepage/announce/sbia_situation.htm ) _____ From 5 December 2008 at 11.00 hrs. onwards, Thai Airways International will resume normal flight operations (3 digits flight number) at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. _____ If you go to the link above, scroll down to see their flight schedules.

I've pinned this topic because it seems quite important. Would you please post the URL for what you spotted on Thaivisa? I think people will want to read this for themselves and also responses. If anyone happens to go to Immigration any time soon, I think it will be greatly appreciated if you into this while you're there and let us know what they tell you.

I suggest going to the Sawatdee Forum ( http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/index.html ) and doing a search for "Samui". You'll find that a lot of people have posted a great deal of information.

Does anyone know who was actually speaking on that video or who he represents? My guess that he is part of THE NATION staff is just that . . . a guess.

I've un-pinned this topic. I think most people who need any of the above information and/or intended to contact me has done so by now. However, my offer to help anyone who needs it still stands and will stand until everybody stranded has managed to go home.

I'm not surprised. At the moment the rate is showing at 35.50. I expect the rate to fluctuate a little back and forth for a while. Then, once the effects of the airport takeovers start to really be felt, if it happens a predicted I'm guessing the dollar will become stronger against the baht.