Gaybutton

Are you kidding me? Yes, mine was free, although a glass of water cost me 80 baht. My friends all paid full fare and I would have to pay the same if I ever go again, wouldn't I? I too had the experiences I listed above and the fact that mine was free doesn't alter the prices being charged compared to what you get. But I don't have to worry. I'm not going again. Neither are my friends. The issue isn't the fact that mine was free. The issue is the experience we endured and the negative changes that occurred in less than three weeks. Maybe you are technically correct that I wasn't ripped off. Now ask those who were with me if they felt ripped off. If you feel that the prices are reasonable, then by all means go and I hope you enjoy it.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Suthep: We'll Talk, if Thaksin Okays It Published: 17/03/2010 The government is ready for talks with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, particularly its core leader Veera Musikhapong, on the condition that he must first get the green light from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday. Mr Suthep made the offer as the UDD continued to mount pressure on the government for an early general election. The UDD's latest action was an attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house with what the leaders claimed was blood drawn from red-shirt donors. "We are ready for talks, but, most important of all, Mr Thaksin must first show a clear stance. If Mr Thaksin orders it, we can talk with his men. "We want to see peace and order in the country. With Mr Veera, for one, we would not need an interpreter. Whenever he is ready, he can call me on the phone.. or send a signal. I'm easy going," said Mr Suthep. Mr Abhisit also mentioned earlier that he would be be happy to talk with Mr Veera. He said Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong's suggestion that a national government be set up would be difficult to implement. Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action. Moreover, a national government could not include UDD core leaders. The deputy prime minister said one possible way of resolving the ongoing political conflict was for all parties to come to see one another, and joint;y agree on how to amend the constitution. If the constitution was not acceptable to all concerned, then problems would again emerge when an election was held. In addition to this, all parties must firmly agree they would no longer organise protests. They should enter a social contract that while an election is being held they must not obstruct or harm one another in any way, Mr Suthep said. Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the government was concerned about reports of possible sabotage. He could not say whether the saboteurs would take orders from Thaksin. All he could say was that there were still some people who wanted to stir up unrest and hurt the country. Mr Suthep said the government would continue to take stringent measures until it was sure that there would not be any violence. The government would definitely not allow the seizure of important installations, including Suvarnabhumi airport, he added. The deputy prime minister admitted he was unhappy with Thaksin. The former prime minister had continued to phone-in and further widen the division between the Thai people. He said this tactic of Thaksin was used by the communists 20 or 30 years ago and should be no longer used. He felt pity seeing the red-shirts resort to their blood-spilling tactic, because this would only cause the world to believe that some Thai people were still superstitious and followers of black magic. The blood ritual the red-shirts performed at the Democrat Party head office had hurt the feelings of the Democrats and Government House officials, Mr Suthep said. He warned UDD leaders to adhere to peaceful means, because violence was not acceptable to the majority of the people. On his reported remark during a press interview that intelligence units of foreign countries had warned the government of possible sabotage, after bugging Thaksin's telephone conversations, Mr Suthep said he had not named any countries. He rejected Thaksin's call that he produce proof of the allegation, saying it would be unethical to reveal the sources. __________ "Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action." Why do I think he's not exactly alone in that opinion?

This thing about price gouging via water and soft drinks is on my "I Don't Get It" list. Why do these restaurants do that? If they raised the food prices a little bit, most likely no one would notice. Don't they think people check their bills? Do the owners of these restaurants think nothing of it when they go out to restaurants and find themselves victims of price gouging? I'll bet they're the first ones to raise holy hell when it is they who are the victims. What's wrong with these people? As I said, if their food prices were a bit higher, I doubt I would really notice the difference, but when I check my bill and see that I'm being obviously ripped-off, then that's a restaurant that never gets my business again. For some strange reason, I tend to get a little annoyed when I find myself in a restaurant that is overcharging in the first place, serving too small portions, mediocre food, along with having to wait nearly half an hour for the bill (and that's after trying to get a waiter's attention for a good ten minutes) only to find I have been price gouged for my beverage and then brushed off if I dare to bring it to the attention of the owner. I know it will probably take a great deal of thinking to understand why I don't come to your restaurant anymore, but give it a try. Some people say you're paying extra for the ambiance. As far as I'm concerned, to hell with that. I've never understood why fancy surroundings justifies excessively high prices in the first place, especially when I can go elsewhere and get food just as good for half the price, and often the food in these high priced places isn't all that great. Sorry, restaurants, but that's not for me. I'll give my business to restaurants that have comfortable surroundings, good food, good service, and reasonable prices. In case you hadn't noticed, there are a hell of a lot of restaurants in Pattaya besides yours. I'll be eating in the ones that aren't rip-offs, but I'll be sure to give a friendly wave toward your restaurant if I happen to be passing by on my way to a different one. I'll be happy to do that right up to the day you close for lack of customers.

There have been few more blood splashing stories today, but the following story is the first I've seen since this whole thing began that at least is making some sense. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Senators Want a General Debate Published: 17/03/2010 at 03:46 PM Sixty senators on Wednesday signed a motion seeking a general debate of the Senate to explore ways of solving the ongoing political conflict, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said. A resolution to take this action was reached at a Senate meeting attended by 66 senators. Mr Prasopsuk and his deputies said after the meeting that senators wanted the Senate to hold a general debate under Section 161 of the consitution as soon as possible. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be invited to attend the debate. The Senate called for all sides in the conflict to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and solve problems through peaceful negotiations, he said. Nikom Wairatpanich, the first deputy senate speaker, said the prime minister should call a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate under Section 179 of the constitution as soon as possible to solve the country's problems through parliamentary means.

I've already said my piece. I don't see much value in rehashing the same points I've already made. You have your opinion and I have mine.

Alright already . . . I'll read both.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 10 More Companies of Security Forces Deployed to PM's House Ten more companies of police and soldiers have been deployed to reinforce 6 companies of security officials at the house of the prime minister following the threat by red-shirt people to rally there Wednesday. The police and soldiers put up warped wires around the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Soi Sukhumvit 31 and strictly checked vehicles passing through the soi. The red-shirt people threatened to go to Abhisit's house to pour their collected blood in protest. No family members of the prime minister are inside the house Wednesday. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Political Rallies Banned Near Govt Property in Chiang Mai Monk backing UDD hurls blood at soldiers Published: 17/03/2010 at 12:00 AM CHIANG MAI : Political gatherings have been banned in and around areas of government offices in this northern province to prevent the red shirts' local chapter from storming and damaging government property. Chiang Mai is the first province to prohibit protesters from organising political rallies near provincial government centre and other government buildings. Chiang Mai governor Amornphan Nimanant yesterday said security measures had been beefed up at key government buildings under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act. Areas in and around key government offices have been put off-limits to political demonstrations from 6am until midnight every day. Violators will face a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of up to 6,000 baht. Mr Amornphan said many Chiang Mai red shirt supporters who joined the rally in Bangkok had now returned to the province. Local community radios are now mobilising red shirt supporters. A close watch is being kept on them, the provincial governor said. At the same time, the UDD's local chapter in Chiang Mai organised a blood donation campaign in front of Grand Waroros hotel. About 1,000 cubic centimetres of blood was collected and the blood was divided into two portions. About 50 red shirt supporters splashed the first portion of the blood outside the provincial government centre after they tried unsuccessfully to storm it but were frustrated by security forces. Another group of red shirts led by Phra Khru Thep Sutthikhun made their way to the statue of Chao Kawila, a former ruler of Chiang Mai, to splatter the second portion of the blood. The statue is near Kawila military camp in Chiang Mai's Muang district. They were blocked by about 100 soldiers. Scuffles broke out before the monk splashed the blood on the soldiers and members of the media. Security has also been beefed up at local government offices in other provinces as red shirts begin to return home. In Pathum Thani, Pol Lt Gen Krissada Phankongchuen, chief of Police Region 1, told provincial police chiefs to provide security and protection at the provincial hall, the district office and other important local government buildings around the clock. In Ayutthaya, provincial governor Witthaya Phiewpong ordered defence volunteers to stand guard at the provincial hall and to keep an eye out for a suspect involved in inciting unrest and vandalism in the province. The security measures come after local red shirt leaders told their supporters to storm and use the provincial hall as a base to attack the government. In Nakhon Ratchasima, police and defence volunteers were deployed at key government offices. The number of fire extinguishers at the provincial hall has been doubled.

One reason is Chez Vickie is closed on Tuesdays. You passed it last night and it seemed to be doing well? That's interesting. Last night was Tuesday. You don't need to tell me what Chez Vickie is like. I've been there a few times already, the latest only three nights ago, and it is one of my favorites. A second reason is because during the Take-Care party raffle I won a dinner at Le Montecristo. Last night I wanted to use my voucher. One friend wanted the paella. Another friend had never been there and wanted to go with us. Now you know why I didn't go to Chez Vickie . . .

I don't "need to admit" anything. Why? Because you say so? Pardon me. I forgot that the only acceptable point of view is your own. I challenge you to show me one post that says, or even implies, that I don't think the Thais have a right to fight for their rights. That is absolutely absurd. Since you can't seem to figure out what I've been saying, I'll try to help you. I have no objection to Thais or anyone else fighting for their rights. I think the way they are going about it is ridiculous. I also think, especially based on the numbers that actually showed up for these demonstrations . . . you know, the ones you hoped I would be so wrong about just so you could gloat . . . that those demonstrating are not representative of the majority of the Thai people. The published poll results back up that opinion. You seem to be a strong advocate for a system in Thailand in which it's share the wealth. In case you hadn't noticed, that brand of Communism failed. Yes, I would love to see an end to poverty in Thailand. I would love to see an end to poverty throughout the entire world. But I don't advocate the methods by which you think it ought to be fought for and I don't see how returning Thaksin to power would help the impoverished even one bit. As long as he has nothing to lose and can continue to convince enough people that he is a victim, not a criminal, and he is also their ticket to a better life, then why would he stop trying, no matter how much it's pulling apart the country? To my mind, if he was truly so altruistically concerned about the welfare of Thailand, then he would have stopped trying to incite these things long ago. If these people are convinced that the current government is illegal, then take it to court. They're not going to get what they want by trying to force the government out. They're not going to get what they want by pouring blood either. So far they have accomplished nothing and as far as I can tell the whole thing has been nothing but bluster and nonsense.

About a year ago a friend stayed at the Room Club. I visited the room and thought it was very nice. I don't know what they charge for the rooms, but if you're looking for a beach location, it's as good a place as any.

Perhaps, but I prefer reviews that don't require me to "read between the lines" to get an accurate idea of what I will encounter. When reviews directly contradict each other, it gets a little difficult to decide which one is the most credible. Sometimes I see reviews or ads that say certain venues were "Voted Number 1" or "Voted the Best." Voted by whom? To me, it's just like that old Anacin commercial that used to appear regularly on USA television. Some actor dressed to look like a doctor used to say, "All aspirin is not alike. Anacin has an extra added pain relieving ingredient . . ." Of course they never say what that added ingredient is. Ever look at the label? That "extra added pain relieving ingredient" is none other than caffeine. Great! I can pay ten times the price for Anacin or I can take a cheap aspirin and drink a cup of coffee along with it and have the same thing. I feel the same way about misleading hotel reviews. I like what Astrrro and lvdkeyes are saying about the Agoda reviews. If I'm looking for reviews, that's where I'll be doing my looking.

I am always amused when the self righteous come along to lecture everyone else on how they should feel and what they should do while at the same time passing along their opinions as if they were facts while failing to tell us a thing about what they do here themselves. Yes, many expats come here for the cheap sex, but many are also living here for a wide variety of other reasons and often the cheap sex has nothing to do with their reasons. As for the lack of compassion for the Thai poor, what would you have us do about it? Start giving away our money to them? Pay their debts for them? Start taking responsibility for their lives? Most expats I know do what they can do through various charities. What else can they do? Many donate hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Many, both gay and straight, have taken in boyfriends or girlfriends and not only support them, but also support their families and help as best as they can. I have several friends who have purchased new houses for the families. TravelerJim regularly sponsors boys and finances their entire college educations. He is not the only one who does things like that. So don't come here and start handing us this lack of compassion nonsense and don't ask us to subscribe to the idea that the world, or at least the expats, owe the Thais a living and don't ask us to try to resolve their political troubles for them. If the Thai government, in your opinion, lacks compassion for the country's poor, what do you think expats can do about it or even should try to do about it? We're not blind to what goes on in this country. We expats probably see a hell of a lot more than you can even imagine. That doesn't disqualify us from expressing our opinions on these message boards. I didn't know our opinions make us 'brainless parrots' unless our opinions are the same as yours. The real bottom line is this is their country, not ours, and they're the ones who have to do something about it if they are dissatisfied with their lives, opportunities, and political troubles. As expats we can help as best as we can, and most do what they can afford to do. The very fact that expats live here is in itself a huge financial contribution. Other than that, I don't know what you would expect expats to do. And since by your own admission you don't live here, then you can't possibly know what expats living here permanently are actually doing.

I was with RichLB this evening, along with two other friends. There is no free water. It's only the bottled water, the same bottled water you can get at any 7-Eleven for 10 baht. I concur with RichLB in everything he said. I think most people know I am very reluctant to criticize gay and gay friendly venues, but this was my idea of outrageous. I'm sorry, but the equivalent of US $2.50 added to your bill for a small water is ridiculous. I ate there only a couple weeks ago and the water was 50 baht, and I thought that was kind of steep then. Now it's 80 baht for the same water. We even called the owner over to see if there was some mistake. He said yes, it's 80 baht. I asked if he realizes this is far more than just about any restaurant in the entire city charges. All he said was "Sorry," and walked away. I don't know what happened. A couple weeks ago the food was outstanding and the prices were reasonable. Now the food was mediocre at best, bland, and too small portions for the price. We had trouble getting the attention of the waiters. We couldn't get them to even glance in our direction even when we would call out for them. And we really did have to wait a good 25 minutes for the bill. And then we only got the bill after RichLB got up, went to the owner, and asked for it. Also, three of the meals were supposed to come with coffee. It was never even offered. We didn't ask for it because we were afraid we would have another long wait before it would be served. A couple weeks ago customers were given a welcome drink upon arrival. This evening none was offered. Two weeks ago I would have listed this restaurant as one of my favorites. Now I doubt I'll ever go back. What happened?

I just looked at the reviews of the Avalon on Tripadvisor. I am wondering why you are saying it is a good place to check. There are 5 reviews, four of which are in English. They all say the staff doesn't speak much English, but that's the only thing the reviews had in common. One person wrote that the restaurant was terrible and overpriced. Another person wrote that the restaurant was wonderful and inexpensive. That's all I saw. Nothing much about the rooms, amenities, proximity to places to go, or anything else. I couldn't find anything where anyone had written about how the staff handles problems. What's the reliable part?

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Reds Spill Blood at Govt House Published: 16/03/2010 at 06:12 PM Red-shirt protesters splashed blood in front of the entrance to Government House late Tuesday afternoon, in a Brahman ritual aimed at toppling the government. Leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), Natthawuat Saikua, Jatuporn Prompan and Arisman Pongruangrong, and a group of red-shirt followers arrived at Government House about 4pm. The UDD leaders negotiated with Metropolitan Police chief Wichai Sangprapai after authorities refused to allow them to enter the grounds. After talks, 100 red-shirts led by opposition Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn and a Brahman priest were allowed through. The Hindu priest, who carried a Buddhist statue with him, performed a ritual before protesters outside the entrance poured the blood they had donated near the front gate. Medical and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration personnel immediately cleansed the area and used chlorox to disinfect the blood stained road after the ritual was performed. There was not trouble and the red-shirts later returned to the main protest venue at Phan Fa bridge. ____________________ And this, also from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Reds Complete Blood Ritual Published: 16/03/2010 at 06:12 PM The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Tuesday completed their ritual against the government by pouring blood taken from its supporters at all four gates of the Government House. UDD leaders claimed the red shirts donated a total of 300,000cc of blood. Apart from the red shirts, about 60 MPs of the opposition Puea Thai Party also gave their blood for the ritual The donation started from about 8.30am and ended about 3.30pm. The red shirts then marched from Phan Fa bridge at about 4pm - with the blood in twelve 5-litre bottles, two large buckets, and 50 syringes - and arrived at the Government House shortly before 5pm for the ritual. At 4.50pm, Jatuporn Promphan, a UDD leader, a man dressed in white as a Brahman, and another man holding a Buddha statue in his arms, walked to Gate No 2 where a religious rite was performed. The Brahman cited spells and incantations and poured an amount of blood in front of the gate. After that the Brahman took an amount of blood from the ground to write some letters on the cement posts of the gate. The ritual was closely watched by Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, the Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander. Only a small number of the red shirts and news reporters, many of whome foreigners, where allowed to witness the ritual while others were cordoned off by more than 2,000 policemen. Apart from Gate No 2, the red shirts also poured blood at Gates Nos 1, 3 and 4 by Mr Jatuporn and UDD leaders Nathawut Saikua and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai. All went well during the ritual without violence because the police had talked to the protest leaders beforehand that the red shirts would be definitely not be allowed to intrude into the Government House or face a crackdown by police on standby fully equipped with anti-riot gear. Fire engines, ambulances from Vajira, Police and King Mongkut hospitals and medical staff were put on standby in the Government House compound, From the Government House, the red shirts returned to Phan Fa bridge, from which they proceeded to the Democrat Party headquarters on Setthasiri road for the same ritual. At the Democrat Party head office, four companies of police under the command of Metropolitan Police Division 2 chief Pol Maj-Gen Saroj Promcharoen, one company of border patrol police, one company of provincial police from Samut Songkhram and one company from Chanthaburi were deployed for security. The police did not carry weapons. About 50 plainclothes policemen were also in the area to take pictures and videotapes of the ritual for possible law-breaking incidents. Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santhan Chayanont inspected the scene ahead of the red shirts to ensure readiness. Earlier, Mr Jatuporn announced that the red shirts would go the the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Sukhumvit Soi 31 tomorrow for a similar ritual.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Blood Ready to be Splashed Published: 16/03/2010 at 04:41 PM Blood collected from red-shirt donors is being carried in large jars and water bottles in a march to Government House, where it will be spilt near the entrance later today. The donations were first displayed on the red-shirt stage. Leaders said they were able to collect 300,000 cc of blood. They earlier planned to collect a million cubic centimetres of blood, but there were not enough volunteers. Soldiers and police increased security around Government House ahead of the ritual and barbed wire has been placed around the gate to prevent instrusion by the red-shirts. Fire trucks are also stationing around the compound to clean the area, which will be covered by blood this evening. (300,000 cc is about 80 gallons)

Rather than copy and past the BANGKOK POST article this time, here is the URL. Plenty of photos: Protesters give blood to scatter at Govt House ____________________ Et tu Chiang Mai? Here's the latest from Chiang Mai, from THE NATION: _____ Chiang Mai Hall to be Closed at 6 pm Following Threat of Bloody Protest Chiang Mai - The Chiang Mai provincial administration will close the gate of the Chiang Mai Hall at 6 pm to prevent red-shirt protesters from coming inside to pour their pooled blood to protest the government. Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanan said the hall would be closed from 6 pm to midnight. Earlier the day, red-shirt leaders in Chiang Mai said they would collect blood from protesters and pour them inside the compound of the provincial hall in parallel with the blood pouring outside the Government House by the red-shirt protesters. The Chiang Mai red-shirt leaders started collecting blood from supporters in front of the Grand Waroros Hotel since in the morning.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: ____ UDD: Blood to be Spilled Before Evening Published: 16/03/2010 at 11:50 AM The anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will splash the blood of its red-shirt supporters at the entrances to Government House between 3pm and 4pm instead of 6pm as previously announced, UDD prominent figure Nattawut Saikua said on Tuesday morning. "The ritual has to start earlier because it could be a little dark at 6pm. "We (the red-shirts) are ready to sacrifice our blood and lives to bring back democracy and bring down bureaucratic polity. We'll then know that the red-shirts’ blood is warm while Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's blood is cold," Mr Nattawut said. He said the donors will curse the bureaucratic polity system without specifying any particular person during the ritual. The ritual will be held so people would not see it as a violent or dirty event, he said. "We want the government to know that we are protesting peacefully," he said. UDD core member and opposition Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan vowed that the group will take no longer than seven days to defeat the government. On UDD leader Veera Musikapong's suggestion that all Puea Thai MPs should resign, Mr Jatuporn said he will discuss this issue with the party members. "However, I don't think I'll step down first because my resignation would pressure other party members. "The issue should be concluded within a day or two," he said. He said if all Puea Thai MPs resigned a House meeting would be incomplete as there would be no opposition. "I demand the government to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a fresh general election and let the people decide who will administer the country. "If the Democrats genuinely win the election the reds shirt will not oppose. But if the Puea Thai are the winner the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the Democrats should accept the result," Mr Jatuporn said. People would not accuse Mr Abhisit of stealing the prime minister's post if his party won the election, he added. UDD core member Veera said the group will continue to find peaceful ways to protest if the blood splashing plan did not work. The group will continue resorting to civil disobedience to pressure the government, he said.

I can only hope this blood nonsense won't change the meaning of LOS from "Land of Smiles" to "Land of Stupidity." The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Red-Shirt Leaders Pool Blood Red-shirt leaders had their blood pulled out Tuesday morning in the campaign for protesters to pool their blood for pouring in front of the Government House. Veera Musigapong was the first red-shirt leader to give his blood at 8:25 am. He was followed by Jatuporn Promphan, and then Natthawut Saikua. They were followed by Weng Tojitrakarn, Adisorn Piengket, and Karun Hosakul. Their bloods were emptied from syringes into a bin, which was by half with a solution. The red-shirt leaders said the solution was chemical for preventing the blood from hardening. Jatuporn said the pooled blood of the red-shirt people would be poured onto the ground in front of Government House before dusk. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ UDD Warns There Will be Blood Published: 16/03/2010 The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is threatening to splash the entrances to Government House with its supporters' blood. Co-leader Natthawut Saikua said yesterday the UDD would today start drawing 1,000 litres of blood from around 100,000 red shirt demonstrators and splash it about the grounds of Government House if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted on clinging to power. Each member of the red shirts would donate 10cc of blood, he said. "If Mr Abhisit and his cabinet ministers want to enter Government House to work, they will have to walk on the people's blood," Mr Natthawut said in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment, where the red shirts were gathered in protest for much of yesterday. The headquarters of the ruling Democrat Party and the prime minister's house would be the next targets to be splashed with blood if the UDD's demands were not met. The Public Health Ministry has warned the protesters against the possible transmission of diseases. But UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn, a medical doctor, said the collection of 10cc of blood would not cause any harm to the protesters. Medical staff normally take from 350 to 450cc of blood from a person at a time, he said. He said the UDD was in the process of coordinating 500 medical staff and nurses to draw the blood. Permanent secretary for health Paijit Warachit said the red shirts could go into shock, especially during hot weather, if they did not have enough rest prior to donating their blood. Red shirt protesters shrugged off the warning. Supatra Kee-ngen, 53, from Chiang Rai, said she was willing to donate for the campaign. "We have no gun, no arms, but what we all have is our blood. And we will use it to ask for true democracy," she said. A 67-year-old retired nurse from Bangkok also pledged to to donate her blood to support the UDD's call for justice. The woman said the red shirt protesters need not be afraid of giving such a small amount of blood.

No, and there are no posts waiting for approval or disapproval. Maybe so, but you won't get them on this board. I'm right here enforcing the personal attack rules. The fact that you own the board does not mean that people get to break the rules to attack you. They'll have to do their attacking on other boards where those kinds of posts are permitted. If I see any attack posts, directed toward GT or anyone else, don't blame GT for wiping the posts. Blame me because that's exactly what I'll do and I'll also place whoever does so on moderated mode.

To me, once a court convicts someone, that's the end of whatever it is being on "allegation" status. This, by the way, was not the first time this man was in legal trouble for pedophile activity. It was the third time.

Do they? Well, I don't. Suppose you explain why the site was closed down.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Blood Campaign is Dangerous : Health Groups By Pongphon Sarnsamak The Nation Published on March 16, 2010 The Nursing and Midwifery Council is threatening to punish nurses who agree to collect blood from red-shirt protesters for the plan to pour blood around Government House today. "We will consider punishing them on a case-by-case basis," council president Prof Vijit Sriruphan said yesterday. "They should know that collecting blood is only done for research or medical purposes." But she said the council would not go as far as cutting nurses' professional licences. Vijit expressed concern over the mass blood collection at at the rally site, saying that it could put demonstrators at risk because some medical devices could be contaminated. She spoke after Dr Weng Tojirakarn, a leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD), said he would mobilise 500 medical workers, including doctors and nurses, to draw blood from red-shirt demonstrators. The blood campaign is a move aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House of Representatives. But many health authorities expressed serious concern as soon as the idea was unveiled. Medical Council secretary general Dr Samphan Komrit said it was highly unlikely the reds would be able to mobilise 500 medical workers for the protest today. He said taking blood from people could be dangerous if it wasn't done by trained medical workers. Deputy director of the Thai Red Cross Society's National Blood Centre, Commander Dr Ubonwan Jarunreungrit, said a blood puncture could cause paralysis if the needle was put in the wrong position. "Or if the puncture is made on an artery, people will lose a lot of blood and they may suffer shock," she warned. Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre director Dr Praphan Panuphak disagreed with the red shirts' blood campaign. If protesters did not have adequate sleep, they would be exhausted after having blood drawn out, he said. Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit warned protesters not to use the same needle to draw out blood as they would be at risk from infectious diseases such as HIV/Aids and hepatitis. He also said red shirts should avoid giving blood in sunlight as that could put them at risk of suffering a stroke. Samphan, of the Medical Council, also disagreed with the red shirts' blood campaign. "I can't say that this is an abuse of the code of medical conduct or not, but it would be the first [such] case in history," he said. Samphan said the council would discuss the issue at its next meeting if somebody filed a complaint about the move.

I hope it doesn't come to that. It's very difficult to believe that intelligent people could have conceived such an idea in the first place, much less try to put it in place. First, if the blood is to be drawn in a safe manner, that means some sort of professional medical staff needs to do it. My guess is that most medical professionals would refuse to do it. I also guess that not only do they lack the time to participate in something this ridiculous, but hospitals simply don't keep sufficient supplies on hand to be able to do this even if they want to. They can't cannibalize their emergency supplies for this, so where does all the necessary equipment come from? In what kind of containers is the blood kept in once drawn? Who is the blood given to? Is it just handed over to each individual who had it drawn? Would a reasonable medical professional participate in such an activity knowing what is meant to become of the blood? Would a reasonable medical professional participate in such an activity knowing how it might affect his own career once it becomes known he was sitting there drawing this blood? How many man hours would it take to draw that much blood in small amounts from individuals? Second, I can't help but wonder if this very idea won't serve to backfire on the Red-Shirt leadership even if no blood is drawn at all. I wonder how many Thais would want the current government to step down in favor of letting geniuses who come up with ideas like this start running the show. I wonder how many Red-Shirt demonstrators will find this idea to be absurd and instead of participating decide to head for home. I wonder what Thaksin has to say about this idea. So far I haven't seen any comments from him about this. Meanwhile, there are more Thaksin sightings popping up than Elvis sightings. So far I've seen reports that he is still in Dubai, in Cambodia, in Montenegro, that he attempted to get permission to enter Germany (and that permission was denied). Wherever he is, further reports have him telling Red-Shirts to start up more protests in their home provinces. Way to go! Why not add inciting riots to the current list of charges?

The Rabbit Resort is definitely gay friendly. Has anyone checked into whether the Avalon is gay friendly? Despite the fact that it's right in the heart of the gay beach area, it seems to be primarily a family hotel.