PattayaMale

If I remember Lester1, you added some rumor to your post, which I think caused a problem. Maybe just be factual. But to answer your question, the landlord and his son open it with the former staff coming back to run things. So the lease will not be a problem. Some have been there since it was taken over from Papa David and had previously worked for him. So they are experienced. The waiters are also gay, not that that may matter. In my opinion, the cooks are very good for breakfast. I hardly went there for anything else. I was told by the waiter/manager that they are using the same suppliers. We shall see in a few weeks if it works out. I am happy to have heard that the prices should be more reasonable. The prices were getting a little high on some items I believe.

I looked at the site today Feb 5 and I find it attractive but believe the promotion claims are way over the top. I don't really get the "insider" thing. I see nothing that isn't "exposed" on the weekly report. The format is nice, however the idea of forcing people to register to even see if the message forum is something they might be interested in bothers me since there is no privacy policy. I have no idea if the list is sold to others or not. To me it is flash with no real substance. How do others feel?

I saw 2 of the waiters that will be back working at the former Googies in Day Night. They told me that the new restaurant is going to be called Chiles or Mushroom. The menu will be the same as it was at Googies except LOWER prices. The former cooks will also return. It appears that it will be Googies without Googie and have the same waiters, cooks, menu and quality at more reasonable prices. I will try it out on the 18th (or when it opens) and report back.

Last night 3 farang friends and my Thai friend went to Jomtien Complex. We went to a fairly new bar which is right across from Rock Hard Boys, Panther Club. We agreed that since it has been open just a few weeks it did have a fresh feel and the tables are not crowded together. The owner said that on the weekends they have a different singer each Friday thru Sunday. You can decide on the hosts, but I did not feel they were trained well. One came to our table to ask if we wanted a drink and after the drinks were served we did not see one, even when we wanted to order another drink. So we decided to pay up and move on. When we said check bin, four hosts ran up the steps to take the money. The owner said this was his first attempt at owning a bar. It is worth a try. I would recommend that you do not choose the red wine. After that we went to Festival Bar. I feel this is one of the really fun bars in Jomtien. Right next to Dick's Cafe. The hosts who also do massages, really make sure you are having a good time

I was driving around yesterday by my house and decided to go see what was being constructed at the end of our street. There is a wall so traffic can not pass onto our street. The complex is really very beautiful. I was surprised (very surprised) at the quality of construction in the low rise condos (7 floors). I also thought that the price was pretty good too considering the amenities that are included. Very nice gym, separate men's and women's sauna and stream room, private party rooms, very large swimming pool, underground parking, and beautiful gardens. It is in my opinion worth a look if in the market for a first class condo in a first class complex. The units are fully finished, so you are not buying a shell. The molding, recessed lighting, high ceilings, floor coverings, and high quality finished bathrooms, and very good air conditioners are all included. Cost is about 34,500 bath a square meter. A 44 sqm studio is about 1.5 million baht. A 1 bedroom 2.5 million. A 201 sqm duplex (2 floors) is 7.1 million. The other thing that I like is it is in the Center of Pattaya City. But with the tress and gardens that surround it very peaceful. The name is LK Legend. If you want to check it out just take the narrow road that leads out from Carrefour (traffic light). You will go less than a kilometer. The Soi is Soi Arunothai. I was very impressed with it.

Didn't General Mac Arther say sort of the same thing? It took him a few years too. But if the government gets through this rough time, they have a good chance of staying in power. But the economy is the key I believe............in every country.

Another thing I like here are the rooms and the fact that someone can spend the night in the room on a sofa. I think the only exception is when you are in ccu. I have Blue Cross insurance. So far there has been no co-pay for doctor visits. Which is a surprise because when in the USA I must pay $10. I do have to send in a medical form for reimbursement but since Blue Cross lets me FAX it in it is easy. Anytime I need to stay in the hospital I call Blue Cross collect and they give me a case number which is used by the hospital to collect a direct payment. But with the economic downturn, my insurance which has been a retirement benefit may change....which would not be good news

You are probably correct that I did not remember the details. Do you know where the link in the city will be?

I am guessing Jason105 was not in Thailand so would like to ask if you (Jason105) were watching on a digital High Def TV or analogue? I now have a VPN connection here in Pattaya and hope I can watch some 3D shows which will be shown on ABC.............I think those feeds must be digital.

Currencies This article on Blomberg shows that some Asian currencies are at their lowest in years

Murdered corruption-busting highway policeman Chit Thongchit had many enemies — from politicians to his own colleagues — but investigators suspect four major cases are most likely connected with his death. Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Chit’s body remains at Wat Pom Kaew in Samut Songkhram’s Muang district pending cremation; 50 police from the Crime Suppression Division, Ratchaburi and Region 7 are striving to fulfil the wish of his family members — they will not cremate him until investigators bring his killers to justice. Chit, 54, fought more than 10 corruption cases against police and local and national politicians. But four cases stand out as being most probably connected to his murder on Jan 15, CSD deputy commander Prayon Lasuea said. ‘‘From our field investigations, we realised that no policemen liked him because he tried to expose their extortion activities,’’ Pol Col Prayon said. ‘‘On the other hand, every villager loved him because he always lent them a hand every time they had problems with police.’’ Chit also locked horns with an academic and former Kanchanaburi politician who was allegedly cheating villagers in Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi provinces over land sales. Investigators have not ruled out his most famous case 11 years ago when he was a member of the highway police unit. In 1998, he revealed how his colleagues were collecting money from drivers of overweight trucks in exchange for letting them on the road. He was also investigating the corrupt activities of a politician in Ratchaburi who owned a farm. In another case, Chit filed a complaint about police in Prachuap Khiri Khan who had charged an innocent man with selling methamphetamine pills. This resulted in several senior and junior policemen being moved from the province. This case is main focus of the investigation, Pol Col Prayon said. Investigators questioned people possibly involved in the case. All have denied involvement in Chit’s killing. Investigators are waiting for laboratory results undertaken by forensic experts who collected evidence from the crime scene. The death of the policeman has gained a lot of media coverage due to his unrelenting fight against corruption. A native of Bangkok, Chit gained a reputation for being an honest cop when his team on a special assignment arrested policemen involved in cigarette smuggling in Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi, in December 1987. The case came under the spotlight when he revealed that his commander kept 834,000 baht of the cash reward for the operation and also kept some of the cigarettes seized from the operation. Chit’s most famous case was in May 1998, when he spoke out about highway police taking kickbacks from truck owners. Since then he has been transferred to several positions and has been the subject of four investigations by police committees. Fed up with being unfairly treated by colleagues and supervisors, Chit called it quits in 2002 and joined the People’s Network Against Corruption to monitor police activities. His last posting as a policeman was at the Tha Mai Ruak police station in Phetchaburi’s Tha Yang district. Chit survived an assassination attempt after the overweight truck case. But his end came at his farm in Pak Tho district in Ratchaburi on Jan 15. He was shot in the head with .22 calibre bullets. He died two days later at Police General Hospital in Bangkok. ‘‘I suspect that the killer is a man in uniform,’’ Pol Col Prayon said. Chit’s son, Mr Krisada, also believes that policemen were involved in the killing. ‘‘There were several cases in which Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Chit had exposed police being involved with extortion,’’ Mr Krisada said. Instead of relying solely on a police investigation, Mr Krisada, a lawyer, has sought help from others to see justice done for his father. He forwarded the case to the National Human Rights Commission and Lawyers Council of Thailand last week. He said family members, fearing for his life, had warned Chit to give up exposing corruption — but the former policeman was determined to keep fighting. Now Mr Krisada said he would follow the investigation until the end. ‘‘I don’t know how far the police will go on this case,’’ he said. Bangkok Post

I was up early to watch the Super Bowl this morning. I am happy they show these events, but wish they would allow the commercials to be seen. One of the fun things for some of us is the great commercials. I had read that there would be a segment in 3D. So I had a friend from the USA send me a pair of 3D glasses.......at a $41 FedEx fee. Anyway, it was all for nothing as they did not show it here on Thai True sport 4> By the way after I received the 3D glasses I found out that it is very easy to make your own 3D glasses. Just get some clear soft plastic and a blue and red markers. Some web sites even give you a template to cut the glasses out.

I am surprised at this crackdown. It just seems that the students have learned out how to be successful business professionals.

I was back at Cafe Des Amis this evening. I took a friend that use to write speeches in the White House and his Thai Friend. His friend used to work at Poseidon, and said the food was very good. So your Thai friends may like the food there. Another waiter just started to work there. Some may know him. His name is Jesse. He use to work at Memories in Sunee Plaza when Oud owned that bar a few years ago. I saw him a few months ago working at another host bar. Now he is at Cafe Des Amis.

I am fortunate to have really good health insurance which pays here in Thailand or in the US. During 2008 I had to have a few major health problems taken care of. I feel the care I would have received in Los Angeles would have been as good as here. But the nursing care is more personal and caring here. I am also very fortunate to have a Thai friend that looked after me after my discharge. He was absolutely fantastic and that is something I would not have had in the US. Insurance is automatic in the US and here I have to call and make sure they will guarantee the costs and then fax outpatient bills for payment. So my choice would be to have care here in Thailand. By the way that was nice of GB and RichLB to be of help.

Another reason I like this restaurant, beside the food and drink, is the waiter named James. I feel he is very nice....he told a farang friend of mine that he has a crush on my Thai friend. Not sure that helps me, but James is very nice

I think I just read that there will be a new high speed train will be in service in a few months from Don Muang to the new airport. The train is currently being tested and will travel at 160 kph. Did anyone else read that?

I understand that John B will be the new owner and that one of the current waiters from Oud's will be a manager. John had a guest house before on Soi Buako so has experience. Good luck!

I must have overlooked what Buckarro described. I thought the Central Mall was well constructed, and beautifully done. The first 3 days the mall was very crowded so the maintenance staff might have not been able to keep up with cleaning. I don't know. But the restroom that I hung out in was very nice I think it is better to enter from 2nd road as it is less congested if it convenient to do so. If you like sushi and sukiyaki, it is hard to beat the restaurant with the conveyor belt, close to Canton (GB described). 250 for all you can eat in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Four of us went there and we were stuffed after 30 minutes. The rice includes drinks and dessert, both self served.

Soi 10 Tom sent me this today January 30 As reported by BBC NEWS as stated by Israeli Human Rights NGOs: Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Physicians for Human Rights, B'Tselem, PCATI, Yesh Din and Adalah. Israeli NGO's condemn treatment of Gaza prisoners, Inhuman conditions rival Nazi concentration camps. Attorney Bana Shoughry-Badarne, Legal Director of PCATI, said the findings were "particularly objectionable" as the Israeli military had repeatedly stressed that it "prepared at length for the Gaza operation". "It seems that, during these lengthy preparations, the basic rights of the detainees and captives were completely forgotten," Once again proof proof that the vicitim (Warsaw) of great abuse becomes the abuser (Gaza). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7856372.stm Wednesday, 28 January 2009 E-mail this to a friend Printable version Gaza detainee treatment 'inhuman' It is not known how many Palestinians were detained during the operation Palestinians seized during Israel's operation in Gaza faced "appalling" conditions and "inhuman" treatment, Israeli human rights groups have said. The seven groups say they have gathered 20 testimonies which indicate detainees were kept in pits without shelter, toilets or adequate food and water. Some detainees also said they had been held near tanks and in combat areas, the groups said. The Israeli military says it is investigating the allegations. The accounts were gathered by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) and Hamoked, the Center for the Defense of the Individual, from Palestinians now being held in Israel. 'Gross violation' "The reports indicate that... many detainees - minors as well as adults - were held for many hours - sometimes for days - in pits dug in the ground, exposed to bitter cold and harsh weather, handcuffed and blindfolded," the groups said in a statement. We spent two days there without any food, water or blankets... The soldiers kept beating anyone who dared ask for anything Majdi Muhammad Ayid al-Atar, northern Gaza "These pits lacked basic sanitary facilities... while food and shelter, when provided, were limited, and the detainees went hungry," it said. The groups accused the military of "gross violation of international humanitarian law" by holding some of the detainees close to tanks. Incidents involving "extreme violence and humiliation by soldiers and interrogators" were also reported, the statement said, without giving details. "We were handcuffed and blindfolded. They put us in a three-meter deep ditch with some 70 other people," Majdi Muhammad Ayid al-Atar, 43, from northern Gaza described, in one of the testimonies. "We spent two days there without any food, water or blankets. They also didn't let us go to the toilet. Afterwards they moved us to another ditch. The soldiers kept beating anyone who dared ask for anything," he was quoted as saying. Lengthy preparation The groups have addressed a written complaint to the Military Judge Advocate General, and Israel's Attorney General, Meni Mazuz. Attorney Bana Shoughry-Badarne, Legal Director of PCATI, said the findings were "particularly objectionable" as the Israeli military had repeatedly stressed that it "prepared at length for the Gaza operation". "It seems that, during these lengthy preparations, the basic rights of the detainees and captives were completely forgotten," she said. She said the groups had the names of 29 people who had been detained, 25 of whom were still being held. The other groups were the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Physicians for Human Rights, B'Tselem, Yesh Din and Adalah

I was given a "tour" of the First Class Cinema at Central Mall. Don't be confused and think this is just a love seat in one of the theaters. It is a separate area. The cost is 600 baht. This gives you an hour of a buffet and a drink before the show. (Sort of like a comfortable airport lounge). Then when it is time for the movie you go into a theater that has only lazy boy type seating in groups of 2. You have a remote control to recline the seats. They give you a freshly laundered blanket, popcorn and a soft drink is brought to you. There is a specially built table to hold this. It is truly a first class theater which has only these first class seats grouped in 2. Maybe a total of 30 love seat groupings.

Former US President Jimmy Carter appeared today on Aljezer (SP?) news. He expressed that Israel did not open the border crossing as they had promised. This left, as said earlier, the population of Gaza without basic necessities. After continued refusal to open the border to allow food, medicine, diesel fuel, etc. into Gaza, a single rocket was fired and landed in a vacant part of Israel occupied territory. When people are being deprived normal necessities, how should they protest? America is the true culprit here. The blind support for Israel is not justified. If America had not given the aid to Israel and gave it to the Palestinians, Israel would not exist today in my view.

I have bookmarked the link GB supplied since it gives good information, but what does "unq" stand for? I am guessing it might mean unquoted.

Today I was at my lawyer's office to check on some property. After we had finished our business, we started to chit chat. She told me she hardly has enough business now. The firm is a firmly established one and quite large. She said that there just isn't enough business as some have closed and no one seems to be buying.

Details of the case appear here Details of Praill