Gaybutton

Thai Airways has announced that they will divert flights to both U-Tapao and Don Muang airports for the time being. It's hard to understand why the PAD has made this move. Even if it somehow forces the government to topple, it is also costing the a great deal of support. Certainly travelers, especially international travelers, are not thrilled. Also, I felt the PAD had media support before, but apparently they've lost whatever support they had over this. Maybe the reason, in part, is to further humiliate Thaksin. After all, Suvarnabhumi Airport was his pet project. Many of you may remember how he had insisted that the airport open despite the fact that it wasn't ready to be opened. Whatever their reason may be, "We are not amused." This could have a more far-reaching effect. It isn't just passengers that arrive and depart from airports. There is also mail and freight. Preventing that kind of transportation can also cause a lot of problems. I hope none of you are stranded, trying to get home. Of course if you have to be stuck somewhere, I can definitely think of worse places to be stuck. I suppose the silver lining might be that you now have a perfect excuse to extend your holiday in Thailand. I just hope your money holds out until you can find a way to get back home. That could get to be a real problem for people who are stranded if this goes on for any serious length of time. Another problem will probably be getting a flight out once the airport reopens. Every day this goes on, that's a plane load of people who had intended to go home, but couldn't. It could take days, or even weeks, to get a flight out. I hope it doesn't come to that. I would think, once the airport reopens, airlines that have spare planes will bring them to Bangkok to help people who are only trying to go home. If any of you are caught up in the middle of this situation, either trying to go home or trying to come to Thailand, please post here and let us know what you have been told and what you are experiencing.

And there's no reason why you shouldn't. Everything is fine here. Just make sure to contact your airline to make sure your flight will go. A week from now I expect the airport will be open. I can't imagine this situation lasting very long.

Has everybody gone nuts or something? Not only is all of this bound to hurt sympathy for the PAD, but it's going to cause chaos for the tourism industry, which can ill afford even more losses, especially right at the beginning of the major tourist high season. This is ruining the only chance this year for the tourism industry to recover from terrible economic blows. Unless people have good reason to come to Thailand, if I were someone living in another country and planning where to go on my holiday, it wouldn't be Thailand right now. As usual, nothing has changed anywhere, not even in Bangkok, except for the areas caught up in the chaos. In Pattaya, unless you're reading about it or watching it on television, you wouldn't know anything is going on at all. Everything is perfectly normal in Pattaya. Meanwhile, some taxi drivers who are losing business come up with tossing grenades at people? Good idea. If people are blocking your ability to get to the airport for fares, just blow them up . . .

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Hurting the Country Editorial The People's Alliance for Democracy's blockade of the Motorway entrance to Suvarnabhumi airport is a wrong and unnecessary move. This ill-conceived disruption of one of the main roads leading to the country's most important international airport will get the PAD nowhere in its claimed agenda of toppling the government or any nominees of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, or making Thai politics less prone to manipulation by money barons. In fact, this move will only further erode the rapidly dwindling public support, a hard-earned provision that the protesters badly need especially at this critical juncture of its campaign. The damage to the PAD, however, cannot compare with that caused to the country. Suvarnabhumi airport is the main gateway to the Kingdom. The PAD's reason for the road blockage - to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning home from Peru, where he has been attending the Apec summit - is ludicrous, as news reports say Mr Somchai will not be arriving in Bangkok until this afternoon, and he could very well choose to land elsewhere upon learning of the PAD's action. In fact, there are reports that authorities have prepared both U-tapao and Chiang Mai airports for the prime minister to land in case of emergency. So, the PAD's road block only serves to hurt ordinary Thais going about their business and foreigners coming to Thailand on vacation or business. The PAD's march on the Motorway entrance to the airport yesterday prompted members of its rival groups - the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and the pro-Thaksin taxi drivers' association - to try a counter-attack. The resulting melee caused major traffic jams in and around the airport, resulting in extreme inconvenience for people who had to use the airport. This is absolutely not fair treatment for anybody at all. Beyond the day's immediate chaos, the impact of the PAD's reckless action on the country's tourism industry will be immense and difficult to rectify. Even before the PAD attempted its boneheaded move to partially block access to the civil airport yesterday, up to 14 countries had already issued advisories warning their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand, and to exercise caution if they do visit. According to Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, the protracted political tension is estimated to be costing the country 400 million baht each day in lost tourist revenue. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has a similarly gloomy story to tell. Due to the higher cost of travelling and our domestic disturbance, foreign tourist arrivals were down 16.5% while the average rate of occupancy at hotels around the country dropped to 45%. Tourism-related revenue accounts for about 6% of the national economy, and had been forecast to reach about 700 billion baht this year - a goal that is unlikely to be met now. Put these figures into the context of real life and we will see a picture of so many people who depend on the industry for their livelihood, who will have to suffer more and more as those numbers keep going down. The PAD has the right to peaceful demonstration. But blocking access to an international airport does not fit that description. This latest action by the People's Alliance for Democracy comes closer to terrorising the public.

I was thinking that incoming flights might be diverted to U-Tapao. That would actually be quite convenient for those headed for Pattaya, assuming enough taxis would go to U-Tapao. It's a short, easy trip from U-Tapao to Pattaya. But if the PAD tries to blockade that airport too, then would not be much of a temporary solution. The next nearest airport capable of handling diverted flights would be the Phitsanulok airport. It's not a large airport and is at least a two hour drive north of Bangkok. Incoming international flights might have to be diverted to Chiang Mai or be halted at intermediate stops, such as Tokyo, Incheon, Hong Kong, or Taipei. A great many flights coming in from the USA make stops at those airports. However, the PAD might have a lot more trouble blocking the U-Tapao airport. That airport is on a military base and is part of the military base. The military might not be quite so accommodating if a blockade occurs. This is a serious situation and, in my opinion, not a very bright move on the part of the PAD. Preventing people from being able to enter of leave Thailand won't exactly help tourism or generate international sympathy. One of my closest friends is due in tonight. He's most likely on his flight right now and may not even be aware of any of this. I hope he manages to get in without too much trouble. He lives in Pattaya, but has been in the USA on business for the past few weeks. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving too. My table may end up having one less person.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 4 Bomb Attacks Rock Bangkok By The Nation At least four rounds of bomb attacks rocked Bangkok early Wednesday, injuring at least 12 people. The number of explosions and injuries was still confusing at press time. Three explosions were heard outside the outbound passenger terminal of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 4:30 am. The explosion sounds frightened the protesters as police vehicles rushed to the scene. The protesters feared that police would come to violently disperse them. But their leaders managed to calm them down minutes later. Thai PBS reported that four protesters were injured, two severely in the Suvarnabhumi explosions. The explosion at the Don Muang Airport, where protesters led by the Peoples Alliance for Democracy were rallying, happened at 6:30 am. The figure of injured protesters at Don Muang airport was still confusing. Channel 3 reported that two were injured but Channel 9 reported that five were injured, two severely. Channel 3 added that a grenade was also launched at the protesters but it did not explode. And 2 men were injured by bomb shrapnel and one was shot when a group of men hurled two bombs and fired at the 92.75 community radio station for taxi drivers. Police said the attack happened at 4:30 am. The station was located inside Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 3 where dozens of PAD guards attacked taxi drivers Tuesday evening. A taxi driver, who identified himself as Watcharin, said he and friends were standing at the mouth of the soi and suddenly heard two explosions and the assailants also opened fire at them. The injured were rushed to the Rajvithi Hospital. The first explosion occurred on the Dusit Bridget in Bangkok's Dusit district at 2 am Wednesday, police said. No one was injured in the explosion which caused a small crack at one side of the bridge. Police found a safety pin of an M26 grenade at the scene. Police quoted eyewitnesses as saying they saw two men on a motorcycle speeding from the direction of the Government House. The pillion rider hurled the bomb to the bridge and they sped away.

The problem with a question like this is that you're likely to get several totally different answers. If it's your first trip, then I would recommend the Ambiance. It's located in the heart of Pattaya's gay action. Not only is it a gay hotel, but there will be plenty of people who can answer all the questions you'll have, can help you with any kind of problems that might arise, and you can count on the desk staff checking the ID of any boy you bring in so that there can't be any trouble. Directly across the street from the Ambiance is Le Café Royale. Both hotels are similar in nature and I would recommend either of them. The Poseidon is nice, but it's in the Jomtien Complex, near the beach. That's fine if you prefer to be near the beach, but it's not close to where the major night-time gay activity is. The Ambiance and Le Café Royale are both in the heart of it. All you need to do to be in the thick of the bar scene is to simply walk out the door and that's why my recommendation for a first trip is either of those. When you arrive, if you want I'll be happy to take you around and show you the ropes personally. I always enjoy doing that and helping people new to Pattaya. If you're interested, all you have to do is send me an Email ( gaybutton@gmail.com ). I'll respond with my local contact information.

Wednesday, November 26 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 35.07 Euro: 45.5450 British Pound: 53.925 Australian Dollar: 22.545 Canadian Dollar: 28.3825 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 35.02 Euro: 45.31 British Pound: 53.785 Australian Dollar: 22.5025 Canadian Dollar: 28.515

I can provide a little information too. The place to get the software is ESRI in Bangkok. Theior web site is: http://www.esrith.com/Eindex.cfm You might ask them if they have Thai-speaking software, but I don't think anything like that is yet available. You might want to have your boyfriend be the one who talks to them to find out what would work best for him. Make sure to get a Garmin GPS. I have the StreetPilot. I like that one because it easily mounts on the dash of the car and is easy to remove. It works beautifully for me. You might want to check into permanently installed types too. The NUVI series by Garmin is quite popular. I've seen several shops in Tuk Com, in Pattaya, that are selling different models of the Garmin GPS. I have not made inquiries, but I would guess they come with the Thai software pre-installed.

I don't know, but you might want to consider making a preliminary trip to check things out for yourself before deciding on whether to take the job.

Sorry, I didn't keep score. But even as recently as a few hours ago there are reports that shots were fired.

Many times! There are plenty of boys around there virtually every night. Whenever I've taken a boy from the park they have been very nice. Most, at least what they tell me, are students trying to earn the money they need for their education. I don't know whether that's true, but that's their usual line. Whether the boys are on park benches or standing, if they're available rest assured they'll make sure you know it. The only negative about Saranrom Park is it's location. It's out near Wat Po. If you don't have your own transportation, then you'll need a taxi to get there. You can cruise with the taxi driver or you can get out and walk. I've found it to be perfectly safe. I do have my own transportation, so I usually park and walk around until I find a boy that appeals to me. I've never had any problem. I suppose you could also consider this a negative: Many of the boys there speak hardly any English at all, but I doubt you would have any trouble communicating. I do suggest, however, making it clear to the boy what you want before you take him and make sure he agrees to it. Otherwise, you might end up with nothing more than "chock wow." But then, assuming you're in a taxi, you're looking at a taxi ride back to your room and taxi fare for the boy to return to the park or wherever he wants to go once you're done. The Saranrom Park boys usually offer themselves for 500 baht.

Here are the latest developments: From THE NATION: _____ SUVARNABHUMI CLOSURE THOUSANDS STRANDED By Chularat Saengpassa The Nation Published on November 26, 2008 Up to 10,000 passengers are being stranded after the Suvarnabhumi Airport has been ordered closed as a result of blockade by the People's Alliance for Democracy The Airports of Thailand has decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport after PAD protesters blocked an entrace, entered passenger terminals and scuffled with airport officials. The closure, ordered around 9 pm, involved stopping out-bound flights. In-bound planes were still being allowed to land Tuesday night, but can be diverted to key provincial airports if situations deteriorated. Slideshow : Chaos at Suvarnabhumi Airport The order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision out of safety concern after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas. "The PAD members are now scattered around. I don't know who's who, or who's PAD and who's not," a senior AOT official told The Nation at around 10.30 pm. How long the closure will last is not known. THAI reported that more than 21 flights _ to Japan, India, Iran, Europe, among others _ were cancelled Tuesday night. This affected up to 6,000 travellers. Overall, up to 10,000 travellers could be affected Tuesday night alone, according to airline sources. The People's Alliance for Democracy threatened earlier Tuesday night to close down the Suvanabhumi Airport completely after several thousand PAD protesteers blocked an entrance earlier in the day and caused turmoil for numerous passengers. As PAD protesters moved to block the motorway entrance to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in the afternoon when the plane carrying Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to land, the arrival of his plane from Peru was announced to have been delayed due to technical problems. The estimated time of arrival has not been confirmed. Some sources said he could be arriving Wednesday evening. "We have tried to pressure the govฌernment for more than 50 hours but nothing has happened, so we need to step up our campaign by closing the airport to tell the world problems Thailand is facing," said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul at Government House Tuesday night. Before the closure order, the Airports of Thailand was Tuesday night mobilizing its officials to Suvarnabhumi to make sure no key operations will be disrupted. Travellers still can access the terminals through Bang Na -Trad highway, but the motory-way entrance has been crowded with protesters. Many travellers have already suffered inconvenience. Arrival passengers were stranded Tuesday night and the AOT officials were trying to facilitate their transport out of the airport. AOT has also issued a statement pleading with the PAD. Hectic accommodation was being provided to some stranded departure passengers. Some of them had had to walk with their luggages for up to two kilometres due to problems at the entrance. AOT also has provided a hotline number for inquiries: 02-1321882 and 02-1321888. However, an AOT official said the lines soon became jammed. For THAI flight information, the following number 02-3561111 has been provided. It was a big political gamble by the PAD, which has seen its support declining lately because of controversial, provocative moves. Its die-hard following, however, has been galvanised by deaths and injuries of PAD members since October 7, when police fired tear gas at protesters marching to Parliament. It has been reported that Prime Minister Somchai has been in touch with his Cabinet and ordered an urgent meeting with top security officials when he arrives back in Thailand late Wednesday afternoon. There were rumours about him planning to invoke an internal security act that will empower the military to take drastic action to keep law and order. The AOT was also known to have asked the Army to provide assistance if problems at the airport went out of control. Somchai's plane failed to take off from Lima, Peru where he attended the APEC summit after the hydraulic lock of the plane's wheels failed to unlock. The technical repair was first expected to make Somchai's flight eight hours behind the schedule, making Somchai's arrival time to be around 7 pm. It was later reported that the repair work would be finished sooner so Somchai would arrive at 5pm. Somchai was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at around noon on Wednesday. He is now expected to arrive at 7pm instead. The Public Relations Department said its reporter, Saksit Pradabsilp, reported from Peru that a hydraulic lock of the plane's wheel would not unlock, thus, preventing the plane from taking off. While PAD Tuesday split in groups and stage a rally to block a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, as caretaker prime minister, still manฌaged to have a meeting with Interior Minister Kowit Watana and PM's Office Minister Supon Fongngam at the Public Relations Department headquarters at 9.30 am. Police and military representatives also attended the meeting. Chaovarat said after the meeting that the police had assured they could handle the situation. They would be patient and would not use violence. Moreover, they would ask PAD to vacate the government's temporary office at Don Mueang Airport but would not "seize/ take back" the office, otherwise, bloodshed could erupt. Chaovarat said he would leave it to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to talk to the PAD leaders himself. They were looking for a new place to hold the Cabinet meeting when the PAD blocked the Supreme Command headquarters, he said. Meanwhile, a source who joined the meeting and asked not to be named, said police had told Chaovarat they would be able to control the situation as PAD protesters mainly demonstrated at Government House and Don Mueang Airport. Being left to rally as they wanted, demonstrators are likely to be exhausted on Wednesday with half of them likely to leave the rally. Security agencies would then wait until only a few protesters were left before taking action, the source said. Somchai's delayed arrival could be the reason for the cancellation of the scheduled Cabinet meeting, the source said. Culture Minister Worawat Uaapinyakul said PAD should care more about the country and stop besieging government agencies' offices as it would hurt the country. PAD's attempt was just power struggle, he said. "The (PAD's) behaviours are like bandits'. They are unacceptable. Why don't they respect democracy or listen to people's voice? Investors are withฌdrawing nowadays as they don't know what is happening in Thailand," Worawat said. The government has been forced not to use its power, Worawat said. However, it would continue working according to the democratic system. However, it would have to discuss where its office would be. He said the Cabinet would be able to use many other places as its office. However, the military should protect its dignity by not allowing PAD to siege government offices. Worawat said he would propose to Somchai to set up an office in Chiangmai as the people there would welcome the government. A government source, who asked not to be named, said the Secretariat of the Prime Minister had not prepared any office to replace the Don Mueang Airport as it needed to discuss the issue with the premier first. The source said it was time the prime minister exercised the law against the PAD. Otherwise, PAD would lay siege to any government offices. ____________________ From the BANGKOK POST: _____ AIRPORT CLOSED, SHOTS FIRED "For the safety for passengers, we have to stop flights out of the airport temporarily until the situation returns to normal." Suvarnabhumi airport manager Serirat Prasutanon at 9pm Tuesday evening. CRISIS ROUNDUP Protesters rushed into Suvarnabhumi airport and forced a halt to all flights on Tuesday, as rival forces clashed at outside, as well as on the road from Don Mueang airport where two people were wounded in the first exchange of gunfire between the PAD and UDD. "I can confirm that there were gunshots," a police colonel on the scene said. "There was a slight clash and two people were wounded." In the eastern suburbs, protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy - some masked, some armed with metal rods - rushed into the main terminal, startling thousands of passengers and staff. They forced airport officials to shut down operations and cancel all outbound flights indefinitely. Planes on their way to Suvaranabhumi were still landing late on Tuesday. The violence in the northern part of the capital, meanwhile, began on the main Vibhavadee Rangsit Road, when supporters of the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) threw stones at a truck carrying PAD members. The anti-government PAD members were returning from Don Mueang, where they have attempted to blockade the temporary seat of government. From their truck, the PAD members fired slingshots and then at least two pistols at the UDD members. The fight escalated, as the PAD truck turned to pursue the several dozen UDD supporters, firing at them. Two of the fleeing UDD members were shot in the incident. The PAD truck was apparently on the way to join about 1,000 PAD protesters who gathered in front of the armed forces headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road on Tuesday, with more on the way. They aim to prevent a cabinet meeting rumoured to be scheduled for the building on Wednesday. The entrance and exit gates of the command headquarters were closed. Military guards, with two fire engines, have been deployed for security inside the compound. Meanwhile, the government remained in place and the army vowed there would be no coup. The PAD planned to submit a letter to Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara, asking the military to take sides in the conflict. But they looked to be disappointed again. "The armed forces have agreed that a coup cannot solve our country's problems and we will try to weather the current situation and pass this critical time," army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said. "The military will use all of its resources to prevent a clash," he said, but added that he was confident there would be no bloodshed. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was on his way back from the Apec summit in Peru. He will have to find new office space again; the PAD have seized his offices in Government House and at Don Mueang. In Lima, Mr Somchai told reporters that he will call a meeting of all relevant agencies as soon as he returns on Wednesday. He criticised the PAD's plan to gather at Suvarnabhumi airport when he arrives. The prime minister said this could cause considerable damage to the country and the PAD should think of the majority. But there is no sign that the government will resign. It has effectively gone into hiding, and appears non-functional but there is no sign that the protests will force it to step down as the PAD indicated it would. The PAD also stiffened its position again. Coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said there will be no negotiations with the government under any circumstances, because talks would be futile. He said the PAD’s plan is to stop the government from exercising its power by all means, including by besieging the alternative government headquarters at Don Mueang airport. He was reacting to a government offer to talk from acting prime minister Chavarat Charnveerakul, who proposed that Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva act as mediator at a neutral ground, the defence ministry. Democrat party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said in this situation the government should either resign or dissolve the House of Representatives. (with news agency reports)

No, it doesn't. There's still too much to this story that doesn't make any sense. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but again I would want to know what kind of gas was used, how they managed to gas the passengers, and where they got it from. Let's suppose they really did gas the passengers somehow. Along with my above questions, and the questions posted earlier by me and other posters, there's one more thing bothering me: Why this particular group of tourists? If they were going to attempt a crime like this, obviously they must have planned it out and targeted this tourist group. Why this group as opposed to other tour groups they would drive for? Was it just a random choice? Was there something particular they thought was in the luggage and they were after it? Also, what about the ease of figuring out who they are? The bus company has to know who was driving their bus. How hard could it be for the police to figure out who did it? This sounds like something right out of "Columbo."

I'm glad they caught the person who did this. As for posting the name of the bar, you can if you want to, although I don't see how that would be relevant to the story.

Not only that, but where would the driver and bus staff have gotten this gas in the first place? How come the Russians never heard of it when that terrible incident occurred when terrorists took over that theater in Moscow several years ago? I'm not a chemist, but I've never heard of a gas that has this sort of capability. The other point is the one about how they could have gassed the passengers with no effect on themselves. Unless they were wearing gas masks, how would they know whether it would put them to sleep too? At least they didn't use Zyklon-B. I don't swallow the gas story at all. Even without any gas, the story is still bizarre. Given that a number of passengers must have been on the bus, the driver pulls over, he and whoever start stealing from the luggage, which had to take time, and none of the passengers wakes up or notices a thing until the perpetrators are long gone. It sure seems strange to me. I wonder what the perpetrators had in mind in case any of the passengers woke up and started raising hell while the thieves were still in the middle of this robbery. It just doesn't make any sense.

I know for a fact that in Pattaya, the entire service charge goes to the staff at the Amor restaurant. All of it. That's one restaurant, at least, that does right by the staff. I really don't have any idea how other restaurants in Pattaya, ones that put service charges on the bill, distribute tips. It's an individual choice, obviously. I think I would tend to at least try to tip the waiter separately if I knew the restaurant cheats its staff and the waiter also provided good service. That might take care of the waiter, but I guess there's little you can do for the other restaurant staff, such as the cook, the dish washer, etc. You just have to do what you can do. I also know that some restaurants don't include a service charge, but one of the waiters or waitresses is essentially the mama-san when it comes to distributing tips. I know several boys who wanted to get out of the bars and tried working in different restaurants. One complaint I heard frequently enough was that all tips were required to be placed in the pool. Then, at the end of the working day, that mama-san type waiter was responsible for distributing the tips. But the tips weren't distributed evenly. Whoever had the mama-san's favor would get much more in tips than those who were not in favor. You can't win . . .

Bhutan???? I give you my solemn promise I won't dispute what a guidebook says about Bhutan. Meanwhile, back in Thailand, I also won't dispute what guidebooks tell you, with one slight exception. When the guidebook tells you one thing, and I'm right here observing something entirely different on a daily basis, I just might have a word or two to say about it, no matter who the author is or how long he's lived in Thailand. There is nothing static about culture and customs. Those evolve over time, especially as more and more Thai people (sadly, in my opinion) try to adopt western ways. The younger generation excels at that. The best I can tell you is to read your guidebook and also listen to what people living here have to say. Then, when a third person comes along to dispute both the guidebook and also what people like me are saying, that's when you can really start laughing! You know what I would do if I were you? I'd "do the dos and avoid doing the don'ts." The touching the head example comes to mind. You've got a guidebook telling you not to touch the head. Then you've got me telling you it's no problem. So, why touch the head at all, whether you can or not? That way you're sure to avoid an awkward situation. Besides, I can think of a few other body parts I'd rather touch in the first place . . .

To me, the strangest part of the story is the fact that the bus crew did this in the first place, whether they gassed the passengers or took advantage of them when they realized they were all simply asleep. Wouldn't the bus company know who staffed the bus? Wouldn't they at least have their names? It would seem to me that the easiest thing in the world would be for the police to track down the perpetrators. If they can't, then the phrase "What's wrong with this picture?" leaps to mind.

As far as what you find on the Internet, I go by what I see for myself, not by what somebody else writes in a book, on the Internet, or anywhere else. For all I know, it could have been written by Clifford Irving's brother. In all honesty, since you ask what I think; I think "what difference does it make?" Quite frankly, and no offense intended at all, whether a Thai uses a fork as a spoon, a spoon as a knife, a spoon as a fork, a fork as a fork, a spoon as a spoon, or chop sticks, or whatever, makes it right to the top of my "who cares?" list.

It's true in a way. That's because most Thais seem to eat at those little mom-and-pop places where tipping is not expected in the first place. Although well-to-do Thais can afford to eat in more expensive restaurants, to tell the truth I've never paid attention to whether they tip or not. I've never watched any of them at tip time.

Not a major problem. When somebody inadvertently posts on the wrong forum, I simply move the topic to the correct forum when I spot it, as I did in this case.

Tuesday, November 25 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 35.02 Euro: 45.005 British Pound: 52.89 Australian Dollar: 22.5125 Canadian Dollar: 28.1825 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 34.97 Euro: 44.775 British Pound: 52.685 Australian Dollar: 22.1275 Canadian Dollar: 27.95

First, tipping in Thailand is not based on the percentage of the bill. That is done only in the higher end restaurants. Typically, in the very small mom-and-pop restaurants, the kind that are about one step above the pushcart vendors, no tip is expected at all, although you won't get a complaint if you leave 10 to 20 baht anyway. In most restaurants the expected tip is 20 baht per person, no matter what the bill is. Again, if you want to leave more, the waiter is not very likely to object. When you start getting to the higher end restaurants, check your bill to see if a service charge is included. If there is one, that's the tip. Nothing beyond the service charge is required or expected. If there is no service charge, that's when a tip based on the percentage of the bill is expected, normally 10%. In most restaurants the daily tips are pooled and distributed among the waiters at closing time. There is a Thai urban myth. Most of the time your bill will be presented in a folder. You are supposed to leave the tip in the folder. The myth is whether you put a tip in the folder or not, if you put money outside the folder and then hand the folder directly to the waiter, then he knows the tip is meant exclusively for him. That's not necessarily true. Sometimes the waiter will get to keep it himself, but I've been told by several waiters that the money still goes into the pool.

Are you sure you're reading the same news media as I am? I keep reading about grenades being thrown at the PAD protesters and people being killed and wounded, and this has been going on almost daily lately.