Gaybutton

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ At U-Tapao: 'They have killed tourism' By Newley Purnell, Agence France-Presse U-Tapao - Not even the dancing girls provided by a local hotel could cheer thousands of travelers as they tried to flee protest-hit Thailand through this Vietnam-era airbase. "This is my first time in Thailand and I probably won't come back," said Glen Squires, a 47-year-old tourist from England, casting a glum eye over the crowds. "What they've done is shot themselves in the foot." Since Friday, the U-Tapao naval base about 190 kilometres (118 miles) southeast of Bangkok has been the only way in or out of the country for tourists stranded by an anti-government blockade of the capital's main airports. Travelers who arrived here found crowds of tired and angry passengers, armed guards, piles of garbage, mountains of luggage, and an increasingly tense and surreal atmosphere. Built in the 1960s by the US air force and equipped with just one X-ray scanner for bags, the airbase can only handle around 40 flights a day, compared to the 700-flight capacity of Bangkok's gleaming Suvarnabhumi international airport. But thanks to the demonstrations, it's all that Thailand has to offer. "I think it's stupid," said Danny Mosaffi, 57, from New York City. "They have killed tourism in this country, the authorities should go do something. Nobody is going to come here." Thai authorities say around 30,000 travelers a day -- both Thai and foreign -- have had flights cancelled since the occupation of Suvarnabhumi on Tuesday in what the protesters are calling their "final battle" against the government. Some travel agents bussed passengers down to U-Tapao, which is near the tourist resort of Pattaya, but with information proving difficult to come by in Bangkok, others came on their own more in hope than expectation. Huge traffic jams built up outside the sprawling compound. Thai soldiers with M16 rifles guarded the entrance to the airport to prevent anti-government protesters from gaining access, as travelers lugged their bags under the sun. Once inside the terminal, it was standing room only. Travelers were unsure where they should check in. Long queues wound around the lone luggage scanner, where soldiers tried to hold back the surging crowd. "It's complete chaos and pandemonium," said Bonnie Chan, 29, from San Diego, California. "We've been given incorrect information from the airlines. The US embassy says they can't help us. We're high and dry. The airlines keep giving us the run-around." With no departures board available, airline employees held up signs that said "Final boarding call, Moscow," while other staff stood inside the security area and pressed signs against a glass window calling for passengers to board a flight to Hong Kong. At one point, a group of unruly passengers pushed their way through a door to the security screening area after an airport employee announced the final boarding call for a flight to Taipei. One woman, caught in the surge, began to scream, and the soldiers forced the doors shut. "We've treated six patients today," said Nan Soontornnon, 24, of Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, standing with a doctor and nurse in a makeshift clinic. "Passengers have had headaches, exhaustion, and other problems, like fainting. But this place has protection from the soldiers -- Suvarnabhumi doesn't," she said. U-Tapao's only other selling point was when female employees from one enterprising Pattaya hotel, taking advantage of the captive audience, put on a traditional Thai dance performance. The women later donned red and silver dresses with feather boas, singing: "You'll fall in love in Pattaya. There's no better place to be."

Geroge, I really don't want to get into this. Please suffice it to say it was a person who self-proclaimed that title and for various reasons is no longer permitted to post on this web site. Let's just leave it at that.

No. I missed that one. I'll try to find it somewhere.

If you need to follow the special announcements issued by Thai Airways, you can do so at the following link: http://www.thaiairways.com/Homepage/announ...a_situation.htm

Not at all. Every one of your posts are good ones. I find no fault with any of them. The fact that the contest is being financed solely with GT's money, and not one baht of it is coming out of my own pocket, has nothing to do with my personal opinion of people who appeared on this board only to try to win the contest and will disappear as soon as it's over.

Indeed you did. Make sure to place the photo on the contest thread if you want it to be eligible to win the contest.

These are parentheses: ( ) These are brackets: [ ]

When is enough enough? The PAD is now making threats to take over Thailand's seaports if they're forced out of the airports. As everyone knows, the PAD is trying to force Somchai out of office because they feel he is a puppet for Thaksin. Ok, I'd like to ask what has Somchai done to make them feel that way? As far as I know, Somchai's only crime is the fact of his marriage to Thaksin's wife's sister. What has he actually done that shows he is anything other than a completely honorable man? As far as I know, so far he hasn't done a damned thing to indicate that he is allowing Thaksin to run the show for him. The PAD, in my opinion, has virtually tried and convicted him before he has even committed the crime. Have any of you ever read the book or seen the movie "Seven Days in May"? If you're not familiar with it, the story is about a disgruntled general who tries to set up and stage a coup in the USA. The story climaxes when he and the President finally have a face-to-face confrontation. The President loses his temper with the general and tells him that if he is so dissatisfied with the way he runs the government, "Then by God, run for office!!!" instead of setting the stage for the total destruction of the very government he claims to be trying to protect. I see many similarities to that premise and the current situation in Thailand. Instead of holding an entire nation hostage and causing untold hardships to hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people, why can't they run for office during the next elections? Again, much of the current goings-on hold a special place on my "I Don't Get It" list. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Tension May Worsen with Pro-govt Rally By The Nation on Sunday Published on November 30, 2008 PAD May Try to Seize Seaports if Airports Takeover Fails to Force PM Out of Office The political situation could become more tense today when government supporters stage a mammoth rally in Bangkok as the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy protesters continue to hold hostage the city's two airports. The pro-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship said yesterday that it would hold a massive rally at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Lan Kon Muang ground this afternoon with as many as 100,000 people expected to take part. The rally venue was scheduled for Sanam Luang but changed later. Police yesterday increased their presence near Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which were seized last week by PAD protesters, but made no attempt to disperse them. Meanwhile the PAD yesterday mobilised more supporters from the provinces to join its rally in Bangkok. The PAD may also try to seize seaports on the Eastern Seaboard if the takeover of the airports fails to force the premier out of office, Suthi Atchasai, a PAD leader from the East, told protesters at Suvarnabhumi yesterday. Hundreds of PAD protesters managed to force a group of policemen manning a checkpoint on King Kaew Road, which leads to Suvarnabhumi Airport, to move out of the area. The protesters said the checkpoint was aimed at cutting off their supplies by preventing vehicles with food and drink from entering the protest site. The pro-government DAAD said yesterday that its planned rally today was necessary as it was highly probable that three coalition parties, including the core People Power Party, would face dissolution when the Constitution Court ruled on the electoral-fraud cases later this week. The DAAD said it would have to deal with the PAD protesters by itself as police appeared to have taken no action against them. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsa-wat yesterday said he was willing to talk with the PAD leaders but would not resign or dissolve the House of Representatives, as demanded by the protesters. "House dissolution and resignation must not be the conditions. This matter is for the political side to implement in accordance with the Constitution," Somchai said. He also called on the protesters to end their takeover of the city's two airports, for the sake of the country. "Takeover of an airport is wrong. It is a severe threat to the country's security. The world community's confidence in Thailand is gone. If the takeover continues, Thailand will become isolated. This incident has caused much damage to the country's image as well as its revenue," said the prime minister. "[The PAD] says the government is causing damage to the country in order to remain in office. My question is: what has the government done to create that damage? And what about the seizure of airports? Is that not damage to the country?" Somchai said. Somchai said he would remain in Chiang Mai but did not say where the next Cabinet meeting tomorrow would be held. PAD co-leader Chamlong Sri-muang said early yesterday he was ready to talk with the prime minister but not in Chiang Mai, where Somchai has been staying for fear of a coup. Chamlong said the PAD leaders would talk to Somchai only in person, not on the phone. The PAD co-leader said he expected the ongoing turmoil to end before His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5. The prime minister gave a national address last night, calling on citizens to do good deeds in honour of His Majesty the King ahead of his birthday.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Rush to Get Out By Post Reporters Tens of thousands of stranded passengers have been squeezing into the only terminal at U-tapao airport to catch flights out of the country. Tents have been erected outside the terminal to provide shelter to the passengers and more mobile toilets have been installed. Traffic to the airport, in Rayong's Ban Chang district, has been backed up for several kilometres. Capt Kiatkul Suwan, who oversees the airport, said immigration officers are working around the clock. On average, about 50 international flights have left the facility daily after the airport was opened for commercial flights. Each flight can accommodate 200-300 passengers. Transport Minister Santi Promphat said the air force base in Don Mueang has also been opened for commercial flights to held stranded passengers get out of the country. He said authorities were also negotiating with neighbouring countries to see if they can reroute passengers to their airports and send them home. He said the government is doing its best to resolve the crisis after People's Alliance for Democracy supporters continued their siege of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The tourism industry across the country has been dealt a massive blow with the shutdown of Suvarnabhumi, the country's main commercial gateway to the world, as well as Don Mueang airport, which mainly handles domestic flights. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related business owners in key tourist destinations from Satun to Chiang Rai have reported cancellations. They believe the shutdown of the airports has not only caused difficulties for tourists but has also undermined tourists' confidence in Thailand. In Chiang Rai's popular Phu Chi Fah area, about 10 per cent of the hotel reservations have been cancelled. More cancellations are expected as the crisis in Bangkok drags on. Somkiat Chuenthirawong, the chairman of Chiang Rai's tourism association, said the tourism and service sector is losing huge amounts of income and any reopening of the two airports is nowhere in sight. He added that a massive drop in income from tourism is widely expected in the industry if the situation is not resolved soon. Satun is already facing a grim holiday season. About 50 per cent of the bookings during the Christmas and New Year festivities, mainly by foreign tourists, have been cancelled. In Hat Yai, Songkhla's commercial district, a large of number of foreign tourists arrived to board planes out of the country. The stranded tourists have headed to Hat Yai, from where they can fly or go overland to Malaysia and Singapore and return to their home countries from there. "Several hundred buses to Malaysia and Singapore are fully booked. The tourists have been advised to come to Hat Yai for flights to Malaysia or Singapore and then return home," said Kriangkrai Samphankul, chairman of the Phatthalung tourism association. "But some are taking the opportunity to explore Hat Yai as well while they are here."

Not at all, gents. If I didn't enjoy doing it, I wouldn't do it. As far as my eligibility is concerned, I'm not the least bit upset that I'm not eligible. I didn't expect to be. I also could have resigned as moderator. Then I would have been just as eligible as anyone else. You asked if I care to explain why I feel the way I do about some people who I believe are trying to take advantage. The answer is simple. No, I do not care to explain. I would have thought it is obvious. I guess it isn't. As it stands as of yesterday (I won't know today's tally until midnight) 29 people have their names in the hat. Again, the actual number of posts anyone writes in total is not what wins the contest. If you have 3 posts in one day, your name goes into the hat for that day, but only once. You could write 50 posts in one day if you really want to, but your name goes in the hat only once per day as long as you have written at least 3 posts that day. As for the totals since the beginning of the contest, MonkeySee you are leading the pack. As of last night's tally, I've got you down for 234 qualifying posts. You're definitely keeping me busy.

My interpretation is that it applies anywhere in Thailand. Not everyone stranded is in Bangkok. The Ambassador Hotel, just south of Pattaya, according to the article is full. But they do tell you to show the hotel your evidence of being stranded and the hotel will credit you with up to 2000 baht per day applied to room and food. That's not bad at all. That should be more than enough to cover the cost of the room and food unless you're going to stay at one of the high end expensive hotels. You might want to check to see if any of the gay hotels are honoring the offer. As long as you're stuck, you might as well enjoy it. If a serviced apartment will honor that, obviously it won't include food since they have no restaurant. However, you might want to call one of the TAT numbers or dial 1337 to find out what to do about food. If you can't get through, the TAT office is open 24 hours a day now and you might a well go there. If any readers here are stranded in Pattaya, I have a car. If you need any help, all you have to do is contact me and I'll do what I can for you. Just send an Email to me at gaybutton@gmail.com . That's the quickest way to contact me. If you have a telephone number and let me know what it is, I'll call you. If you don't have a phone, let me know that and I'll reply to your Email with my number. If you need any help, once you have my number feel free to call me at any hour, day or night. I don't mind that at all, even if you have a need to contact me in the wee hours. It's not a problem for me.

The following two articles appear in PATTAY ONE: _____ Emergency Meeting Discusses Local Assistance for Stranded International Tourists On Thursday Afternoon, Khun Mongkol, the Chief of Banglamung District chaired an emergency meeting to discuss the currently situation in Bangkok and the affect on Tourists residing here in Pattaya following the closure of Suvanabumi Airport. The District Chief announced that Pattaya City Hall and Banglamung City Hall’s can be contacted by Tourists who are stranded here in Pattaya following the airport closure which could last for some time. For the latest information the Pattaya City Call Center 1337 can be contacted and for those who need to leave Thailand urgently can also contact 1337 and decisions on whether to accommodate requests to leave Thailand urgently will be decided case-by-case by an emergency committee which has been set up. U-tapao Airport in Sattahip is still operating and can be used. So if you are stranded here in Pattaya and have problems with money or visas or if you require any advice regarding the use of other forms of transport to leave Thailand please call 1337. ____________________ Tourists Stranded in Pattaya Wonder when the Bangkok Protests will End Because of the Airport closures in Bangkok, thousands of foreign tourists are stranded here in Thailand. Many have come to Pattaya to wait for news regarding their flights. Many are angry, some have resigned themselves to the fact they are stuck here and are making the most of their extended holidays. It is clear that whenever the PAD protests at the airports come to an end, there will not be an immediate re-opening as security at both airports have been breached and damage has been caused. There were reports of some International Journalists walking onto the tarmac and up to parked planes with no signs of any security in place. Everyone is now wondering what the next move will be as the Army appear not to support the idea of using force to disperse the protesters and the Police have also claimed they will not use force. Some tourists are running out of money and others now have expired visas. Tourists with expired visas should make their way to the Immigration Office located in Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road where we understand that if evidence is produced to confirm they have been forced to remain here because of the problems, free visa extensions will be given. Many are hoping that the nearby U-Tapao Military Airport in Sattahip will be used for international flights, however due to the size of the airport it is unlikely that regular international flights will be possible. If you require urgent repatriation you must contact your Embassy who will listen to your case and make a judgment if an urgent evacuation from Thailand is required. Other options such as traveling to Cambodia or Laos by road are also being considered by some Tourists at this time. ____________________ And this, from the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS _____ THOUSANDS OF STRANDED TOURISTS AWAIT FLIGHTS HOME AT PATTAYA HOTELS Thai Airways have brought tourists from two airports in Bangkok to temporarily check in at the Ambassador Hotel Jomtien and a few more hotels nearby before flying back to their countries from U-tapao airport. At 00.20 am. on 29th November 2008, our reporter was informed that over ten thousands tourists were waiting to check in at the Ambassador Hotel Jomtien, in front of the hotel and inside the Ocean Wings building. Mr. Anusak Rodbunmee, the hotel General Manager said the hotel has total of 4000 rooms but some of these have already been booked and could only offer 1,300 rooms for this urgent matter. Other hotels nearby had been approached and offered their rooms at a special rate. Mr. Tanasan Sarakol, the general manager of the Best Western Bella Villa said they will offer a 50% discount for tourists who are waiting for their flights. The first two flights Thai Airways could organise from U-Tapao were to Japan and Paris According to our information all the tourists' expenses including hotel accommodation and food would be paid for by Thai Airways. Reporters had noticed that some of tourists had run out of money and could not even pay for their drinks. Pattaya Bangkok Hospital also joined in to help by offering their ambulances and other services to patients (tourists) who needed help. 30 people had been treated yesterday but so far no one has requested treatment for any serious conditions. Mr. Akarawit Tepalak, Deputy Director of Pattaya Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that TAT, all concerned officials and local private companies have co-operatively set up an urgent care center at TAT office, Pratumnak Road, Banglamung open 24 hrs since 28th November. The center can be contacted at tel: 038-428750, 427667, 089-0999726, and Email:tatchon@tat.or.th. There are now over 100,000 tourists stranded in Thailand awaiting flights home and PDN has received unconfirmed reports that they will be receiving 2000 baht per day in compensation from the Thai government.

Actually, it's my "I Don't Get It" list, but much of what's going on definitely qualifies for the list.

This is excellent information and I had no idea about any of it before. For those who use the rapid transit system in Bangkok regularly, this could be quite useful. As for the two cards conflicting with each other, somehow I'm not surprised.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ One Million to be Unemployed from Suvarnabhumi Closure Deputy Prime Minister for economics Olarn Chaipravat said the government may have to pay about one billion baht to about 500,000 stranded Thais and foreigners at Suvarnabhumi airport, or about 2,000 baht per person a day. Because Suvarnabhumi airport was under siege by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), more unemployment in the tourism sector would arise because the number of tourist arrivals next year would plunge, according to Mr Olarn. The deputy premier said the initial forecast estimated 13.5 million tourists would travel to Thailand in 2009, but the figure would definitely drop due to the current political situation. As a result, about one million people working in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses could be laid off next year, Mr Olarn said.

Thank you, jtrack33. I was not aware that you could use a Bangkok Bank ATM card for that purpose. I wonder if it's just Bangkok Bank or if you can do that with any Thai bank's ATM card.

I've brought up this very problem on other threads. If I had to be stuck somewhere, I wouldn't mind it being Pattaya, but if you have no money to at least enjoy it, then it can be a nightmare with everything so near, yet so far. If they have a credit card, they might want to get a cash advance. They might also be able to get their credit card company to raise their credit limit due to an emergency situation. There is also a rather unscrupulous way of getting cash without doing a cash advance and paying the hefty fees credit card companies charge for it. Some of the gold shops will sell you some gold, but what they are actually selling is cash. They'll write a ticket for an equivalent value of a certain weight of gold, put it through as a sale but actually give you cash. They keep a small percentage for themselves. Not all gold shops are willing to do this, but I know that some will. I was with a friend who did that about a year and a half ago and saw for myself. They might also try contacting their embassy. I don't know what, if anything, the embassy can do, but they might have some suggestions for people stranded and are out of money. If they have anyone back home who can help them, it's expensive, but there's always Western Union. If it looks like this is going to drag on for an extended period of time, they might want to consider renting a condo or an inexpensive room. They would have to pay for at least a full month, but if it's going to be weeks before they can go home (and even if the airports are cleared an hour from now it could take that long to fly people home) it would save them quite a bit of money instead of staying in hotels. They might even be able to negotiate with their hotel, or another hotel, for a less expensive room rate. The hotel may not like it, but it's better than having empty rooms, which would very likely be the case if tourists can't even get to Thailand. Immigration has announced they are going to waive overstay fines for those who can show evidence they were among the stranded, rather than someone trying to take advantage of this situation. It wouldn't hurt for them to go to Immigration and ask if they have any advice for people who are running out of money or maybe have already run out. They could also try contacting the police and the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) for advice. Without knowing how much longer this is going to go on, or how long it will take to be able to go home once this ends, I would advise them to do what they can to be prepared to have to remain here for at least three more weeks. If they run out of money completely, with no way to obtain more, I don't know what they're going to do. It's going to be a serious problem for some people. They'll be forced to spend more than they can afford or even run out of money while stranded here. Then they'll go home only to be faced with no money for the days of work they missed. Some holiday! I wouldn't blame these people if the farthest they ever go from home on a holiday again is ten miles. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ No Way Out By Chatrudee Theparat and Chadamas Chinmaneevong Almost 100,000 foreign tourists are still unable to return home, but the number of passengers stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport may double or triple if the situation is prolonged. U-tapao airport has been used as a gateway for sending foreign visitors home. As of yesterday afternoon, six flights had taken off. The flights will increase to 15 today and 48 tomorrow. Aircraft capacity is about 300 passengers per flight. Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand would serve as check-in venues. Airlines will announce hotels for their check-ins today. Imperial Queen's Park and Holiday Inn are on stand-by to accept passengers checking in for flights. Passengers would then be taken by bus to U-tapao. The Tourism and Sport Ministry would need at least 200 million baht a day, based on 2,000 baht per head for accommodation and meals, as expenses for stranded tourists, according to Minister Weerasak Kohsurat. He said previous figures showed that about 30,000 foreign visitors fly into Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport each day. "Once the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters leave the airport, authorities will need time to restart operations. If the protest is prolonged, stranded foreign visitors may reach 200,000-300,000," Mr Weerasak said. The ministry will ask cabinet to get money from the Budget Bureau. Currently, it has only 10 million baht in initial funds. Yesterday, it called a meeting of 14 airlines, state agencies and the private sector to discuss measures to help foreign visitors get home. Airlines showing readiness to use U-tapao include Lufthansa, EVA Air, Scandinavian, and Canadian airlines. About 2,000 buses would take passengers to U-tapao, a trip of about three hours. U-tapao will also be for incoming flights from abroad. Stranded Thai travellers should contact their local Thai embassy or Thai Airways agent. They can also fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and from there to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi. Thai Travel Agents Association president Charoen Wangananont said the association is checking how many Thai travellers are stranded overseas. The Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Sport ministries will help Thais stranded overseas by offering accommodation and meals until the airports reopen. Wirote Sitaprasertnand, president of the Professional Tourists Guide Association, said some Thai travellers left in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, China, and Laos are arriving by land. Some Thai travellers on long-haul routes have taken flights to neighbouring countries and then caught flights to Chiang Mai or Phuket. He said tour agents are facing problems as airlines from China refuse to give refunds. "They say it's not their mistake, but Thailand's problem. Now operators are negotiating to postpone flights instead of cancelling," he said.

In Thailand? You do know what "fat chance" means, don't you? The only thing you can do that will get you anywhere is to contact the previous owners and hope they are honest. If not, then unfortunately you can kiss 5000 baht goodbye. There's really nothing much else you could do, especially if you don't live here. A letter from a Thai attorney might help, but it would probably be ignored.

Yes, that's definitely important. As much as I would like to see more participants in that contest, I hope nobody posts any photos without consent. Of course, if we find out that such a thing has happened, we will immediately delete the photo and probably ban the person who posted it if we discover he did it intentionally.

I agree, although I suspect the stranded people will be happy to get home at all, with or without their luggage. I have a feeling that by the time they get everyone out, they might as well apply for retirement visas. Here's another fun thought: Suppose the PAD voluntarily leaves the airports. If something else takes place that they don't like, what's to prevent them from doing the same thing again?

No, no. If the theater you're in happens to be between two others, now you get part of 3 movies for the price of one.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Fugitive Thaksin : Protesters Seizing Airports Must Respect Law By The Nation Fugitive ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called for anti-government protesters who seized Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports to respect the laws or face legal action. He warned that if they did not respect the law, "law enforcement must be done." Thaksin has been on the run after being sentenced in absentia to two years in jail on corruption charges in Thailand. He was referring to seizing of the airports by protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy, which reached the fifth day on Saturday. Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is Thaksin's brother in law, has issued state of emergency both airports. The move was seen as a tool to allow police to disperse them. "The airports must be reopened and the protesters must respect not only the law, but the citizens of Thailand," Thaksin said. "If no one respects the law, then law enforcement must be done." He also warned that should the military launch a coup, it would be much more bloody than the previously occasions. He also warned the army to stay out of politics, predicting bloodshed if they stage a coup. "If the coup were to happen, there's going to be bloodshed. It's not going to be an easy coup like in the past because the people are in hardship since dictatorship came to Thailand," Thaksin said. Thaksin urged his supporters to "protect democracy": "If you protect Democracy you may be painful for a while, but if you allow dictatorship to take over Thailand you are going to have a nightmare for your whole life." Thaksin said without elaboration, "So-called independent agencies or courts had been mobilised to bias against the government. That's very bad." Thaksin's message to the military: "They are officials whose salary is paid by taxpayer money, so they have to do what is wanted by the whole of the Thai people, not just for minority groups. They must respect Democracy. They must play by the rules. Being neutral means you have to observe the law." Thaksin was speaking to Thomas Crampton, a freelance blogger in a videotaped interview. Crampton said the interview came out when he had coffee with Thaksin. "He spoke passionately about this week's events in Thailand," he wrote. The date and time of the interview was not known. It was posted on Crampton's blog on Friday.

I suppose it's possible, but so far there is no indication that any of those things are likely to happen, other than air travel. As a matter of fact, I've seen each one of those things happen even when there is no trouble at all. As far as the general populace is concerned, life is going on as usual and it almost seems as if most of the people, if they're paying attention to it at all, are just about indifferent to the whole thing. It reminds me of the civil rights protests that took place in the USA in the 1960's. As I recall it, most people in the USA who were not directly involved would watch the news about it on television and would say, "Isn't that terrible?" That was about all. Once the news was over, that's the last time they even thought about it that day. From what I'm seeing, the financial system seems to be in more danger than anything else. This crisis certainly isn't going to help Thailand's economy. For farang, the silver lining on that cloud is that the exchange rate is rapidly moving in our favor. I'm definitely sorry for the reasons for the current exchange rate movement, but I'd be lying if I said I'm sorry about the exchange rate windfall it's producing.

Thank you all very much for these responses. I think I'm going to go for a fit-in-the-pocket sized camera. Apparently, most of them take decent enough pictures, so it's the features built into the camera that seem to make the most difference. I guess the most important peripheral features are the size of the LCD screen, whether you can still see the screen in bright sunlight, and whether the flash is going to wash out the photo. What features would you say are the most important "must haves"?

Unfortunately, you're by no means alone in that. It's a sad situation for so many people and none of the powers-that-be seem to know what to do about it. No matter what any of them do now, it will be the wrong thing to do. On the one hand, the authorities can't do anything to jeopardize the safety of the innocent people trapped in the airports. On the other hand, they also can't allow a protest group to literally destroy the economy of the entire country. The number of people who will be adversely affected economically, both directly and indirectly, could reach many millions by the time this is over. No matter what happens now, it's a crushing blow to the tourist industry that is going to last for years. By now, there has to be a significant number of people who were considering a holiday in Thailand who now will never consider a holiday in Thailand. The thing I keep wondering about is once the airports are cleared, whether done by force or not, what's going to happen next?