PattayaMale

Thanks for giving me that heads up on adding the stay put option.

Reading that some foreign news outlets are calling the "protest" a WAR ZONE or a CIVIL WAR, I was wondering what you might do. I never made a poll so see if this works.

Neither have I seen anything out of the ordinary in Pattaya. Truthfully, we farangs seem more absorbed with what is going on than the Thais here that I know. I have asked my Thai friend so many times to come inside and tell me what the Bangkok news is saying, he now says the same thing, "problem in Bangkok". That is it! I am sorry for the people that are getting hurt, but feel it is now there own fault for not leaving the protest site, rolling burning tires at troops, invading a hospital, etc. Bringing change to such a corrupt society must be very hard. It certainly is beyond me to understand how correcting this can happen. Those thinking of coming to Pattaya for this low season should probably be safe. But do be careful not to stay out in the sun too much. It is indeed hot!

GB, If your still looking for news that Chonburi is under State of Emergency see Pattaya One

I am with RichLB on this one.

TAN Network has very good coverage of events.

Thai TV had up a notice saying something like news of the protest is blocked on TV. So maybe they know more than we do??????

Since Chonburi is now under the State of Emergency, what does that mean to Pattaya??

THE NATION: CRES postpones the power & electricity cut at the rally site for the time being. To decide again at 6am tomorrow.

FINALLY, a stern warning for the PM. That should settle things! lol

May 12, 2010 This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that the Royal Thai Government has indicated that authorities will cut power and water, and possibly telephone and transportation links, within the next 24-48 hours to the Ratchaprasong rally site in central Bangkok where the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or "red-shirts") continue to demonstrate. It is currently unclear how large an area will be affected. It is also unclear how the UDD will respond. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and lodging in this area and the areas in and around all demonstrations, if possible. If U.S. citizens must travel to these areas, they should exercise special caution and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. U.S. Embassy personnel who live around this area have been given the option to relocate to housing outside of the affected area until the situation is resolved. The U.S. Embassy is also planning on limiting personnel who work on, or directly off of, Rajdamri and Langsuan roads. Other U.S. Embassy facilities, such as the Chancery and Consular Section, will remain open. U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution and vigilance at all times. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or "red-shirts") continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may change or expand their demonstration locations at any time. Various other groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations. There have been several minor clashes between the security forces and the UDD and other demonstrators. These clashes may escalate with no warning. For areas currently affected by demonstrations, please refer to local media. These demonstrations are expected to continue in Bangkok indefinitely. U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little or no warning. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements around Bangkok. The Department strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Thailand to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or through the State Department's travel registration website < https://travelregistration.state.gov/ > . For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens may also consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Thailand and the Worldwide Caution, located at the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website < http://travel.state.gov/ > . U.S. citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas. The American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok < http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/ > is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at acsbkk@state.gov. The emergency after-hours telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

Why not "shortened" to Muu????

A friend treated me and another friend to Sunday Brunch at Amari's Mantra. (Mothers' Day) I had never been there before. I believe it might be the best brunch in Pattaya. It is a bit unusual since much of the food is prepared for you and then brought to your table. Each table has number cards which you take around with you so they can deliver the food. They have different food stations in a very large room. There was a dim sim station (all made fresh when you order); a roast and grill (meat and seafood) station; an Indian food station; a cheese, fruit, bread and pastry, marinaded vegetable and fresh vegetable, fresh fruit station; cold seafood station which includes snow crab legs, lobster, large shrimp, salmon, tuna, clams, and several different sauces; sushi station which includes free sake; fresh juice station; and a fantastic dessert station which includes all sorts of tarts, cakes, homemade ice cream, and flowing white and dark chocolate fountains. I am sure I missed something. There is no egg station. There web site says they have a dress code, chic and stylish (no shorts, tank tops, sandals) but maybe since it is low season they don't enforce it. The space at Mantra is very big and it was completely filled. Very nice place. And nice to be treated for brunch!!

GB..As my Thai friend says "Not our problem" Kurt have a great trip

Sometimes what I think and how I state it maybe confusing to some. But what you said I meant is not true. I don't deny people of some wealth may be sympathetic to the plight of the poor. However, many of us benefit from the current system. And I believe that it is easy to talk about solutions when there is no cost to us personally. Some may talk about the difference between Reds and Yellows. But aren't there really more layers than that? How about the military...which seems to be the real seat of power? Does anyone really think that this struggle will be over soon? As was said by Bob this has been going on in the Land of Smiles forever.

When considering "STATED" objectives, I am not a big believer that politicians/protesters are straight shooters. I think it is a little like being told the "tooth fairy" will bring me money if I put my tooth under my pillow. I believe ALL poor people of the world deserve a better life, not just Thais. I think it is a good goal to preach and believe in. But those here in Thailand that are so concerned, do they tip the waiter 20% of the restaurant bill; pay the taxi driver the same as when being transported in Los Angeles, give their "boy friend" of that night 4000 - 9000 baht (equivalent of New York) or even pay the London price of an apartment or dinner in Paris, pay higher taxes so that the poor can have the benefits provided by many other US or European countries. The question as to why the protesters were in Bangkok for so long has not really been answered. Most were paid. In California we have petitions gatherers that may even oppose what they are trying to get people to sign up for but get paid for each signature. Sometimes those signatures are forged. I still maintain, that this is NOT about helping the poor as some posters proclaim. It is all about power and enhancing one's own wealth, just as the policeman pays large sums of money to get a better position. Does anyone believe that some one would pay several million baht to become police chief in Pattaya just because they want to "serve and protect"??

Today I read an interesting comment. Thailand is heading into an undeclared civil war. This will happen unless a third person from outside Thailand can help mediate. "Contrary to the repeated claims of various UDD leaders that their movement is non-violent, photos, video and eyewitness accounts demonstrate that many UDD security guards and protestors are armed with guns, explosives, petrol bombs, slingshots, metal clubs, knives, sharpened bamboo sticks and other weapons," HRW said. (Human Rights Watch) The article also noted that there have been over 70 bomb attacks (many more than I was aware of). Even though the article was published in the "Nation", it was written by Agence-French Press. Civil War

My opinion about who the Reds support is that some support different institutions than others. I don't believe there is one vision. I also think that applies to the leaders not necessarily the paid protesters. Also, it seems to me that there are military personnel that have their own agenda concerning promotions. Maybe there are so many different layers to this problem it is hard for us (at least for me) to make sense out of it. Coming from the USA, during my life time I have never seen military, police, and protest as complicated as this. Of course we have had very big protests in the USA and some turned violent, some had people killed. But this protest seems to have many more dimensions.

Gay-grampa makes a very good point. I am not sure anyone takes the police or military very seriously anymore. The idea of unlocking the door and letting 100 Red guards into the hospital instead of the agreed upon 5 seems foolish. Wouldn't trained professionals that negotiated the deal, also make part of the deal that the 100 Red guards move back 100 meters before unlocking the hospital doors? Does the apology of Red Dr. Weng (?) to the public saying, the invasion of the hospital was a mistake help their cause?

In an earlier post about Red shirts going violent, one poster (RichLB) stated, "your implication that the reds are calling for a violent overthrow of the government doesn't reflect anything I've seen or read." After the bombing of the BTS, the terrorizing of the hospital where many poor go for treatment, and a Red leader admitting to CNN that some Reds do have military type weapons, I wonder if the view expressed by RichLB as quoted above, is still shared by other posters?

Even though I don't believe Thailand would fall into complete disarray, I was wondering where expats would move to if Thailand fell into civil war making it to unsafe to live in Thailand. Where would you go?

Well the reason I post is that GayThailand himself pays me 20 baht a week to keep the numbers high.

GB, I only said a bit offended. It was/is not that big of a deal. PLEASE delete your apology. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I apologize for making you feel an apology was even necessary. Thank you for moving it back to GayThailand. But again if you can remove your post, I can remove mine. Then we can get back to the more important things in life. Enjoying it!!

Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts, Blue Shirts, Multi-colored shirts, and now Heaven and Hell shirts.......when will the insanity end...lol

I posted about avoiding Songkran and a comparison between Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh, based on a trip I took over Songkran. In my view that is more about Gay Thailand than "do you believe in heaven or hell" But my post was moved to Asia. I am a bit offended since I believe when I made the comparrison vs Pattaya, it should have stayed were I put it. I don't understand. Power trip??