Gaybutton

Australian Wine and Cheese Special at La Cage. See details below:

While the Asian markets are falling, the US dollar is gaining strength in Thailand. At the moment of this post the exchange rate for the US dollar in Thailand is 34.20, the best it's been in many months. The following report is from AP: _____ Asian Markets Plunge on Fears Crisis is Spreading By ALEX KENNEDY, Associated Press Writer Asian stock markets plunged Monday as investors took scant comfort from Washington's passage of a $700 billion bank bailout and focused instead on deepening financial turmoil in Europe that threatens to slow global growth. Traders were spooked by Germany's announcement Sunday of a new bailout package totaling 50 billion euros ($69 billion) for Hypo Real Estate, the country's second-biggest commercial property lender, part of a scramble by European governments to save failing banks. A dismal report on the U.S. job market released Friday added to the gloom, fanning worries about U.S. consumer demand for Asian exports. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 average sank 4.2 percent to 10,475, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slid 3.4 percent to 17,089. Markets in mainland China, Australia, South Korea, India, Singapore and Thailand also fell sharply. Indonesia's key index plunged more than 5 percent. "This credit crunch looks like it's not going away any time soon," said Alex Tang, head of research at brokerage Core Pacific-Yamaichi in Hong Kong. "Apart from a credit crunch in Europe, investors are quite concerned about the worsening outlook on the U.S. economy." "We haven't seen any positive developments in Europe or the U.S., apart from the rescue plan," Tang said. "But even with the rescue plan, investors are focused on the slowing economy." Investors were processing a series of developments out of Europe over the weekend. Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said Sunday that France's BNP Paribas SA had committed to taking a 75-percent stake in troubled European bank Fortis NV. British treasury chief Alistair Darling also said he was ready to take "pretty big steps that we wouldn't take in ordinary times" to help the country weather the credit crunch. The outlook for the U.S. economy worsened after figures released Friday showed that 159,000 jobs in the U.S. were lost last month, the fastest pace in more than five years. Such concerns overshadowed any investor optimism over the U.S. House of Representatives' approval Friday of a massive bailout plan that will allow the U.S. government to buy distressed mortgages and securities backed by mortgages from banks and other financial institutions. Investors questioned how long it would take for the package to unfreeze credit markets, restore bank lending and generally shore up the U.S. economy. "The market had already figured in the package's passage," said Yukio Takahashi at Shinko Securities Co. in Tokyo. "There are strong doubts about its implementation." Japanese financial companies and industries dependent on exports, such as steel, were especially hard hit Monday. Nippon Steel Corp. stock tumbled 9.8 percent, while Mizuho Financial Group was down 8.3 percent in morning trading. Trading in mainland China resumed after a weeklong holiday break with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index sinking 3.5 percent to 2,213 by midday. Banks and other financial shares saw heavy declines. Shanghai Pudong Development Bank fell 7 percent and Bank of China slipped 3.6. Shares of Ping An Insurance Co. rose even after it said Monday it will record a $2.3 billion loss on its stake in European bank Fortis in the biggest blow yet to a Chinese institution from the global credit crisis. Ping An's shares were up 1.6 percent. U.S. stock index futures were down more than 1 percent, suggesting Wall Street would open lower Monday morning. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 157.47, or 1.5 percent, to 10,325.38 on Friday. In currencies, the euro slid to $1.3618 from $1.3774 late Friday. But the dollar was weaker against the yen, falling to 103.11 from 105.30 yen late Friday. Oil prices tumbled on speculation that slower global growth will cut crude demand. Light, sweet crude for November delivery was down $1.85 to $92.03 a barrel in Asian electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. _____ AP Business Writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this story.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Peace Efforts Collapse By The Nation Published on October 6, 2008 Chamlong Said Truce Talks Canceled; Protesters Continue Seizing Government House More protesters poured into Government House yesterday as fledging attempts to end the political crisis crumbled with the arrest of anti-government leader Chamlong Srimuang. Chamlong, the most important People's Alliance for Democracy leader alongside Sondhi Limthongkul, sent a message to the PAD after his arrest that the movement shall cancel any planned talk with the government. "After his arrest he called us," said Suriyasai Katasila, another PAD core member. "He said there was no need to negotiate with the government now. He said the talks are no longer necessary and all protesters must remain within Government House." Political observers also warned that Thai politics is likely to become more destabilising following the arrest of Chamlong, who was detained while casting his vote in the Bangkok gubernatorial election in Dusit district. Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun said Chamlong's arrest will heighten the political tension in the country. Anand, however, declined to speculate what will happen next. Somkiat Pongpaiboon, another PAD's leader, yesterday called for more anti-government protesters nationwide to rally in Bangkok and a march to Don Muang to ask for fair treatment for Chamlong and Chaiwat. Conspicuously, Chamlong appeared to set his own trap when he showed up in the early morning at a poll station in Bangkok's Dusit District to cast his vote. It was a strangely careless move, especially considering the fact that another key PAD leader, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, was arrested outside Government House on Friday. In no time after his public appearance, the police arrested Chamlong, who did not show any resistance. He was allowed to cast his vote and then reportedly taken to the Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani. Speculation that Chamlong "intended" to be arrest after Chaiwat, his comrade in arms, was nabbed on Friday was rife yesterday. News of Chamlong's arrest sent more PAD supporters to Government House yesterday, clogging the compound and nearby areas. Totally, nine PAD's leaders including Chamlong, Sondhi and Chaiwat have faced treason charges after they led anti-government protesters to take over the Government House. Now Sondhi serves as the ultimate leader of the PAD. The latest developments have complicated efforts to strike a reconciliation deal between the government and the PAD. Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the deputy prime minister, was on the verge of reaching a truce with the PAD when his negotiation was torpedoed by Chaiwat's arrest. Kraisak Choonhavan, a PAD's sympathiser, said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat must bear the responsibility or explain to the society over the arrest of the PAD's leaders, who are appealing the court over their arrest warrants. He added that the protesters are likely to rally even stronger to exert more pressure against the government, a situation that might lead to violence. Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said Chamlong sacrificed himself so that the people could win in their fight for political reform. Sondhi said Chamlong called him and asked him to remain a leader of the fight. Sondhi said other PAD leaders - Somsak Kosaisuk, Pipop Thongchai and Somkiart Pongpaibool - did not ask Chamlong any question during the call before his arrest. "They share the same opinion with Chamlong that there is no war without people who sacrifice," Sondhi said. __________ And this: _____ Chamlong's Arrest not Politically Motivated: Police By The Nation Published on October 6, 2008 Police denied yesterday they had detained Maj General Chamlong Srimuang on the order of anyone, saying the People's Alliance for Democracy leader wanted police to arrest him to comply with the justice system. Deputy Bangkok Police chief Pol Maj General Surapol Thuanthong, also deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, told a press conference police arrested Chamlong on a treason charge according to an arrest warrant approved by the Criminal Court, number 2521/2551. Chamlong was exercising his voting right when police greeted him and explained he had to be detained. Chamlong cooperated and was taken to Pathum Thani. Deputy Bangkok Police Chief Pol Maj General Damri Chotset interrogated him and explained the charges to be pressed against him. Police will today seek a court order to further detain Chamlong . He said Chamlong informed the PAD rally on Saturday night he would go to the poll and if police found him they would arrest him. "It is a good trend that the suspect wishes to fight the charges that have been pressed against him since May 25,'' Damri said. Police said if Chamlong believed the arrest warrant was not fair he could file a complaint with the court, taking recourse in Article 30 of the Criminal Law. Chamlong would be taken to Bangkok Remand Prison, the same centre in which another PAD leader, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who was arrested on Friday, is being held. Chamlong's wife Col Siriluk visited him in detention . Nattaporn Toprayoon, a lawyer for the PAD, sought police permission to visit Chamlong and be present during his interrogation. He said he would file a complaint with the Criminal Court calling for the withdrawal of the arrest warrant on treason charges against Chamlong and Chaiwat Sinsuwong. He said neither suspect would seek bail. Chamlong said he denied all charges. He urged PAD protesters to continue their sit-in protest in greater numbers and not to visit him since he was far from the Government House. PAD leaders called on protesters from the provinces to join the rally today at the Government House.

Monday, October 6 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 34.15 Euro: 46.505 British Pound: 60.19 Australian Dollar: 25.7375 Canadian Dollar: 31.305 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 34.22 Euro: 46.345 British Pound: 60.045 Australian Dollar: 25.305 Canadian Dollar: 31.335

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ TENSION FLARES AGAIN CHAMLONG ARRESTED Published on October 5, 2008 Political peace efforts suffer another big blow with arrest of key leader Chamlong Srimuang Chamlong Srimuang, a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was arrested this morning at an election booth in Bangkok. Eye-witnesses said Chamlong was detained at the election booth at the Seth Sathien School in Sam Sen area of Dusit district where he went to cast the vote in the gubernatorial election. Police arrested him at 8 am when the polling station opened. His arrest came after the first of the nine PAD core members, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, was captured on treason charges on Friday. It was not clear if Chamlong, who is very close to Chaiwat, "intended" to be arrested, according to some PAD observers. The witnesses said Chamlong told the police who were approaching him: "Let me cast my vote first". He was allowed to cast his vote. Chaiwat's arrest was described as a blow to peace overture by the Somchai Wongsawat government. Chamlong's capture is believed to have far greater repercussions. Chamlong is the most important PAD leader, along side media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul. Chamlong was taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1's headquarters in Pathum Thani, Channel 7 reported.. Pol Gen Suparp Muenkaew confirmed to NBT station that he went to arrest Chamlong himself. The previous Samak government charged Chamlong, Chaiwat and the seven other PAD core members of treason after they led seizure of Government House. The PAD has been protesting inside Government House for several weeks, with the key leaders being careful not to leave the compound. Chaiwat was arrested outside the compound on Friday, apparently after lenient attitude toward the PAD by the new government made the PAD leaders to lower their guards. Channel 7 reported that other PAD leaders at the Government House was informed of Chamlong's arrest immediately and was preparing to make some moves in retaliation. NBT reported that Chamlong wrote a letter to his supporters at 6:30 am and the letter was read at the rally site at the Government House at 9 am. In the letter, Chamlong said it was the duty of all Thais to repay the gratitude to the motherland by joining the demonstrations to bring about political reform. The letter says: "We all gather here to repay the gratitude of our motherland. We come here to do good for the country and repay our debt to the country. This is the duty of all Thais. Before we die, we must repay the debt to our motherland. No matter what will happen, let all remember that it's duty of Thais to server the nation, religion and the King. I, Chamlong Srimuang, would like to remind all Thais that we were all born with a duty. No matter how tall we are, no matter how our complexion is, how poor or rich we are, we have the duty to repay the debt to the motherland. Chamlong Srimuang, 6 am." Prawase Wasi, a senior citizen, told reporters after casting his vote at the Sawasdee Witthaya School that Chamlong's arrest would definitely affect the peace political efforts. Chamlong's arrest would deteriorate situation: Abhisit Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday expressed concern that the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang, would worsen the political crisis. Speaking to reporters at a polling station, Abhisit said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would come up with a clear stand whether he would strictly enforce the laws against the People's Alliance for Democracy or would negotiate with the group to try to end the crisis. Abhisit said he would raise the question Monday when Somchai attends a meeting of political party leaders to be held by Parliament President Chai Chidchob to find a measure to end the crisis. ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Chamlong Arrested Police arrested core leader and ideologue of the People's Alliance for Democracy Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang when he showed up to vote in Sunday's election for Bangkok governor. After he voted, he was removed from the polling station and taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 detention at Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok. Maj Gen Chamlong is the second of nine PAD leaders to be arrested in less than 48 hours. Chaiwat Sinsuwong was detained last Friday, although Maj-Gen Chamlong is considered more important and influential within the PAD movement. Police had warned all nine wanted PAD leaders they would be arrested if they came out of the Government House protest grounds seized by PAD in August. They face several criminal charges including a serious allegation of inciting insurrection by their street protests, which began in Bangkok last May 25. The arrest warrants against the nine include charges of insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Insurrection is the legal equivalent of treason. The US-based news agency The Associated Press reported that police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Suraphol Thuanthong said authorities were preparing to arrest all remaining seven of the PAD wanted leaders "at an appropriate time and place". Maj-Gen Chamlong, who also is a spiritual leader of the Santi Asoke cult, has been a familiar figure in anti-government protests since he participated in the popular 1992 anti-military demonstrations which overthrew the army-led dictatorship. The 73-year-old former officer served in several Thai army positions before he retired in the 1970s. He has headed a political party and for a time was closely allied with the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now the main focus of Maj-Gen Chamlong's protests.

Some are now charging fees even with their bank cards. For example, sometimes I'll pay a bill at an ATM machine by doing a transfer from my account to the recipient's account, as long as it was all within the same bank. Until recently there was never a charge for that. Now, the banks I use are charging a 25 baht fee for that kind of transaction even when it's going from my account to another account within the same bank. That's the same amount they charge even when you are transferring funds from one bank to another. Also, Bangkok Bank, and I imagine others are doing the same thing, is now charging a 30 baht fee when making a cash deposit into an account at a teller window in the bank. That's new too. I don't recall ever having to pay a fee to make a deposit until recently.

GaySacGuy is correct. The higher the denomination of the bill, the better exchange rate you get. Granted, it's almost nothing more than a few baht unless you're exchanging very large amounts of money, but that's the way it works. You might also want to bear in mind that you get a somewhat better exchange rate for travel checks than you get for actual cash. I don't understand enough about banking to know why, but that too is the way it works. What is best to do depends on your own preferences. Obviously, it is much more convenient to withdraw money with use of your own ATM card, but you do have banking fees. The fees don't amount to much, but some people prefer not to have to pay those fees. If it were me, I would choose to use my own ATM card, which will work at any ATM in Thailand, rather than have to deal with travel checks because of the sheer convenience of it. ATMs are virtually everywhere and are available for cash withdrawal all the time. Travel checks, on the other hand, mean that you have to either go to an exchange booth or a bank. That requires you to carry your passport, which many do not wish to do, do your exchanging during their office hours, often wait in a long line, and depending on where you are just finding and getting to a bank or exchange house is sometimes not so easy. That idea especially sinks in if you happen to be standing right next to an ATM at the moment you realize you need to cash a travel check, and also realize you are nowhere near a place to exchange the travel check. Some hotels will exchange travel checks or foreign cash, but they invariably give you a much lower exchange rate and most of the time they will do the exchange only if you are staying there. Even then, hotels usually have a limitation on how much they will exchange. I usually recommend to those coming to Thailand for a holiday to bring their ATM card and use it. I also recommend bringing an extra ATM card if you can, in case your ATM card is lost or stolen. That way, you have a backup if it becomes necessary. I also recommend, in any case, bringing along some travel checks for emergency backup. Even if you have no intention of using your ATM card at all, I suggest bringing it anyway, in case of emergency, so that you do have access to cash.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Taxi Drivers Demand New Fare Tariff AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Licensed taxi drivers are demanding a revised fare structure and are defending their strike at Suvarnabhumi airport last Thursday. Legal taxi driver Pathaweee Meerat said the continuing presence of illegal operators at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports is forcing registered drivers to demand verbally agreed fares for long-distance trips instead of using meters. Drivers working at Suvarnabhumi airport went on strike on Thursday, calling for changes to the new taxi fare structure imposed on June 18 for metered taxis. They said the new metered fare was unfair when making long-distance trips from the airports to provinces other than Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani. The Transport Ministry on Friday agreed to let taxi drivers bargain with passengers for inter-provincial trips. But the permission will not be granted permanently until the transport minister signs a regulation excluding long-distance trips from the ministry's taxi fare regulation. The permission will be temporary, as authorities are working out a new fare structure for long-distance trips to the provinces. Legal taxi drivers accuse illegal operators of snatching passengers from them, causing them to lose income. They said they had tried in vain to bring the matter to the attention of executives of the airport since Suvarnabhumi opened two years ago, but the problem continues. Illegal taxi drivers were criticised for damaging the country's image and the reputation of legal cabbies by overcharging foreign tourists. One licensed driver said the illegal taxi problem had not been tackled seriously because authorities and influential figures were involved.

Most Thanksgiving dinners you'll find in Pattaya restaurants are hundreds of baht more expensive. This one is one of the least expensive and, in my opinion, one of the best.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 27. Pattaya will have several choices for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My personal preference is the Amor Restaurant. That's where I go every year and I intend to be there this year too. The dinner is served "family style" with waiters bringing around trays filled with each of the selections. You can have as much as you want as many times as you want. If anyone wishes to join me and my group, we will be delighted to have you. Just send me an Email at gaybutton@gmail.com and I'll be happy to add you to my reservation.

MaxNet is ASDL service, offered by the TT&T telephone company. It is one of several Internet Service Providers available in Pattaya. The two other major providers are Loxley and True. As far as I know, only dial-up and ADSL are currently available for Internet service in Pattaya. I have heard that cable modem is now available in Bangkok, but I really don't know. I do know it's not yet available in Pattaya. MaxNet's Premier Package offers a 2048/1024 option for 1090 baht per month. That's what I have now. They also offer 3072/1024 for 1990 baht per month. They have three other speed options available if you wish to pay the fee. You can view the options at: http://www.maxnet.co.th/product_adsl.php . When you get to that page, scroll down and click on the little blue box that says "Premier." MaxNet's main web site is: http://www.maxnet.co.th . It's mostly in Thai, but you get a pretty good idea. WiFi is also available in Pattaya. I don't use it, so I know nothing about it. Someone else will have to post about that. I do know, however, that how well it works depends on your location. A friend stayed in one condo and couldn't get it to work unless he set up his computer out in the hallway! Another friend stayed at a condo and could only get WiFi to work intermittently. When it would work, sometimes he got good speed and sometimes dial-up would seem lightning fast in comparison. He got so frustrated with it he damned near packed up and went home! In other words, WiFi seems to be risky, at best, in Pattaya. I don't know enough about the technology, but I do know that ASDL works much better via a router than via a DSL modem. I don't know why. Good routers are available here for about 2500 baht or so. If you want to try your own modem or router in Thailand, make sure it can be adjusted to PPPoE. PPPoA will not work in Thailand. The reason for that is because Internet service only works here if your computer has an ethernet card. Satellite service is offered by UBC, but that's for television. It has nothing to do with Internet service. Cable TV is offered by Sophon Cable and Banglamung Cable, also strictly television service. There may be one or two other cable TV providers in Pattaya, but I use UBC, so I really haven't paid any attention to what else is available. At the junction of Pattaya Tai and Third Road, there is a company offering satellite TV for a one-time fee and claims to offer a great many more channels. I haven't investigated what that's all about. Maybe someone else has and can fill us in on what they have to offer and whether it is any good.

I received a flier from MaxNet. Naturally it was written entirely in Thai, but I could see that they were offering some sort of new package. I went to their office on the second floor at Carrefour to find out what's being offered. I'm glad I did. I had been paying 1000 baht per month for 1024/512 speed, which was fine for me. What their flier offers is their "Premier Package", which gives you up to 2M speed for 1100 baht per month. I don't know what the hell 2M means, but for an additional 100 baht per month I decided to give it a try. Now I'm getting nearly double the speed I was getting before. I don't even get those annoying delays anymore when I look at a video on YouTube. This seems to be the best you're going to get in Pattaya unless you want to pay for a dedicated line, but I would imagine most people would be satisfied with the Premier Package. It's definitely fast enough for me. The 1024/512 speed was fast enough for me, but the Premier Package is much faster. Those of you who are MaxNet users might want to consider making the switch.

I'm curious as to the price of a CPAP. Did you get as far as finding out what it costs?

Wednesday, October 1 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.67 Euro: 47.385 British Pound: 59.885 Australian Dollar: 26.6375 Canadian Dollar: 31.58 I expect to be "away from the desk" for a few days. I may not be around a computer to post the exchange rates. If you wish to follow the exchange rates yourself, click the following link: http://www.krungsri.com/eng/exchange01.aspx

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Somchai Charged Less than two weeks after being elected prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat could lose the post and his seat in parliament over another shares scandal. Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana charged at the Election Commission on Monday that Mr Somchai helds 100,000 shares in a listed telcommunications company, CS Loxinfo, which does business with a state enterprise. According to the senator, Mr Somchai held 100,000 shares worth 368,000 baht in the firm, which operates under a concession granted by CAT Telecom. Mr Somchai made a brief public statement to the press. He said he would adhere to the legal and judicial process. "I have no worries at all," he told reporters. That process could now bring him down. Sen Ruangkrai, who filed the charges that caused the downfall of ex-premier Samak Sundaravej for hosting a TV cooking show while prime minister, said that Mr Somchai's alleged share holdings violate a number of constitutional articles. Several of them bar government office holders from owning shares of companies doing business with state enterprises. One, Article 48, also bans owning any shares in any telecoms company at all. Mr Somchai has headed the cabinet for less than a week, after taking the post following the court's dismissal of Mr Samak. The legal case filed by Sen Ruangkrai could be drawn out for several months, but the steps are clear. The Election Commission will consider the charges, and if it feels they are warranted, it will forward them to the Constitution Court, which can order a brief trial and then pass a verdict. Election Commission spokesman Ruangrote Jomsueb said a subcommittee would be appointed to investigate the matter, the first necessary step. Mr Somchai can legally hold his post through the process and told the media on Monday he intends to do so. As an ex-judge, he pledged to act in a legal way. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Let Law Takes Its Course, Says PM By Atthayuth Butrsripoom, Worranaree Kosajan, The nation Published on September 30, 2008 Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said yesterday he was not disturbed that he would be investigated for alledgedly violating the Constitution by holding shares in CS Loxinfo that has a concession with CAT, and having his daughter hold shares in M Link, a company that operates a state concession. "For the investigation, everything must go in accordance with the law. I had announced clearly that I accepted to become head of the government and I will uphold principles and justice," he said. He was speaking after appointed Senator Ruengkrai Leekitwattana filed a complaint with the Election Commission to check if Somchai had violated the charter and should be disqualified and removed from his post. Ruengkrai's earlier complaint against former prime minister Samak Sundaravej, of violating the Constitution by continuing to host his cooking programme despite being head of government, had resulted in Samak losing his premiership early this month. Ruengkrai said he suspected Somchai may have disqualified himself since January 22 this year by allegedly holding shares in CS Loxinfo, which operates a state concession or is a contract partner of a state enterprise. That would be a violation of Article 265 (2), resulting in him being disqualified as an MP as per Article 106 (6), and disqualified as PM as per Article 171. Ruengkrai also suggested that the EC check whether an 8-rai house worth over Bt200 million was included in the assets declaration that Somchai filed with the National Counter Corruption Commission. "The house where Somchai was when he received the Royal command was not declared as part of his assets. He might have transferred it to another person's name. Could it be a case of asset concealment?" he posed. Ruengkrai denied that his crusade to check politicians in the government were intended as political harassment. "I carry out my duty without bias towards any politician," he said. He said he withdrew his complaint for investigation against former deputy prime minister Surapong Suebwonglee because he was no longer in office. He said he was ready to be probed over allegation of abuse of authority for illegally checking the assets of others. "I demand the probe be open to the public and the media. I have been waiting for them to come and check me for long," he said. Election Commission (EC) member Sodsri Sattayatham said the EC would today decide whether to appoint a panel to probe the allegation that Somchai had violated the Constitution. She said she would prefer that the EC appoint a special panel instead of using the existing panel, that had been appointed following a complaint by Supachai Chaisamut to check the qualifications of MPs and Senators. "This panel has to probe hundreds of MPs and senators already," she said.

I'm wondering if the economic chaos, especially following the failed USA bailout package and subsequent worldwide stock market crash, is going to cause people's travel plans to change. Are any of you postponing, canceling, or otherwise amending your travel to Thailand plans?

Here we go. Now that the USA's bailout package failed to pass and the US Stock market had the biggest loss in its history, coupled with the political instability still going strong in Thailand, this is going to be another week to keep an eye on the exchange rate. Tuesday, September 30 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.92 Euro: 48.705 British Pound: 61.165 Australian Dollar: 26.9925 Canadian Dollar: 32.2575 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.67 Euro: 48.295 British Pound: 60.755 Australian Dollar: 27.1025 Canadian Dollar: 32.045

Monday, September 29 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.81 Euro: 48.89 British Pound: 61.69 Australian Dollar: 27.94 Canadian Dollar: 32.4625 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.87 Euro: 48.485 British Pound: 60.86 Australian Dollar: 27.465 Canadian Dollar: 32.40

To me, worrying about being clandestinely filmed in one of these bars by news media guys with concealed cameras, and then having that film end up on television, and even then someone who knows you seeing it, makes about as much sense as refusing to fly because the plane might crash. Yes, it can happen. Yes, sometimes it does happen. But the odds are greatly in your favor that it won't happen. Like air travel, it's a possibility, but there's not much you can do about it other than to refuse to fly. Then you won't be killed in an air crash (although tell that to the people who were in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon). The subject of cameras and ending up on television, YouTube, or something else has been brought up before. If it is something you feel is cause for you to be afraid, then the only solution I can see would be for you not to go to the bars or even go to the gay venue areas at all. I don't know what else you can do about it.

One of the major recent concerns was the CCTV cameras in the bars. People were afraid they might be compromised in the manner you describe in your post. So far, nothing of the sort has happened. I don't think anybody has to worry about the cameras in the bars, but there's little anyone can do about the media and concealed cameras they may carry outside of the bars.

I'm sorry some of you are having problems with Baht-Stop, but why are you posting about it here? Now that you have the Email address (see Hedda's post) wouldn't it be better to send an Email directly to Baht-Stop and explain the problem?

COMING SOON ! October 05, 2008 Pattaya’s most popular Sunday Brunch Enjoy your Sunday with your Family and Friends at Casa Pascal! Delight with an extensive buffet that offers Cold Appetizers including smoked Salmon, Rock Lobsters,Prawns,Crabs, Great international Salad Bar & Thai Salads Abundance of Appetizers, Italian Antipasto Cold Cuts, Terrines, Beef Tatar Live Pasta &Flamed Beef & Pork Tenderloin Station Soups and lots of other Asian and European Main Dishes And of course, the Sunday’s Breakfast Items Great Desserts such as Chocolate Mousse, Creams, Tarts, Parfaits And a Fruit Pancake Station will boost your appetite. Including a Glass of House Champagne Do not forget to reserve your table ! **************************************************************** Adults 899 baht net, Children (under 12) 599 baht net Every Sunday 10:30 ~ 15:00 starting on October 05, 2008 For your reservation : (038) 723-660 or (081) 983-4182 (Kim)

There is one effect so far. If you transfer money between accounts online, even when it's your own account, there is a two day delay before the funds become available. It used to be immediate.

Apparently there has been no reconciliation between the PAD and the new Prime Minister. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD 'to close airports' Supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said on Friday they will close five airports in the South to try to stop a visit by new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to his home town. The five airports are Hat Yai, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Phuket. PAD said they will close all of them with human barricades to prevent a visit by Mr Somchai scheduled for Saturday. Mr Somchai planned to visit his hometown in Surat Thani province to celebrate being named prime minister. He was scheduled to land at Surat Thani on Saturday, but he may try to use another airport in the region because of the militant actions of the anti-government group. Sunthorn Rakwong, core leader of PAD group in the South, said the move is to show Mr Somchai he is not welcome in the South because he is a nominee of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the premier's brother in law. Mr Sunthorn said the PAD members would gather at the five airports on Friday to "begin operations". He said protesters would remain peaceful, and vowed to avoid violent or aggressive measures. If the premier manages to land in the South, PAD members will follow wherever he goes to pressure him to leave the region and go back to Bangkok, Mr Sunthorn threatened. On Thursday, a group of PAD supporters in Nakhon Si Thammarat blocked House Speaker Chai Chidchob from attending a scheduled seminar on "The House Meets People" held in the southern province, forcing Mr Chai to leave for Bangkok on Friday morning. Meanwhile, PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang said provincial members of PAD can do what they believe it is suitable, and claimed that any such action had nothing to do with the central PAD. Maj Gen Chamlong also said the group welcomes the opportunity to negotiate with newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh if he actually serves as a mediator between the government and PAD. Gen Chavalit is a senior, national figure who served in top posts including army commander and prime minister, he said. However, another PAD core leader Pibhop Tongchai cast doubts on that promise. He said he has doubts about the real intention behind Gen Chavalit's appointment as a mediator. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PAD: No to Rector's Pitch on Reforms By THE SUNDAY NATION Published on September 28, 2008 Group Says Politicians without Legitimacy Cannot Bring about Change The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday rejected a proposal by 24 university rectors for the formation of an independent body appointed by the government to start political reform. PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the PAD could not accept the proposal to have the government as a manager of political reform because this government was a nominee of the Thaksin Shinawatra government and had come to power with a hidden agenda. 'GIVE PUBLIC A CHANCE' "We do not believe that politicians who have lost legitimacy would actually create a new politics. We believe that the public as a whole should be given a chance to oversee political reform, in which case the PAD will help create public participation in the political-reform process,'' Suriyasai said. He said that if the government appointed a so-called independent body to reform politics, its intention would be only to buy time to cling to power. PAD spokesman Panthep Wong-puapan said the PAD had also come up with other political proposals, one of which was that to ensure separation of the executive and the legislature MPs should not hold ministerial posts, which he said would curb the problem of "MPs selling their souls". The PAD has also proposed that MPs should not belong to any political party. To increase public participation in politics, the PAD proposed that members of the public should be able to file corruption charges against political office-holders directly, and corruption cases should not come under a statute of limitations. Panthep also said it was time the justice system underwent a reform, starting with the Royal Thai Police, independent agencies, the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Attorney-General. To streamline the country's justice system, police and public prosecutors should be given a deadline of three or six months to complete their investigations, he said. ABHISIT BACKS PROPOSAL However, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party, threw his weight behind the proposal by 24 university rectors that the government form an independent body to reform politics. He said politicians had to accept that the public was not happy with the current situation and it would be a good solution if a neutral body could act as a coordinator and bring every part of society into the move to reform politics. "It is not important who initiates it; it depends on whether they have the sincere intention to reform politics and reduce tension. We will wait to see how the government reacts to the proposal,'' he said. He added that an important condition was that a new constitution must not be drafted with an eye to vested interests or the interests of any political faction. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat yesterday declined to comment on the rectors' proposal, saying he needed time to look into it.

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