KhorTose

I wonder what word they would come up with for Bush Jr, who threw up all over his country. If this sounds a little harsh for some out there, I apologize. My statement is made in reaction to this terrible fear that I have that somehow Bush's elections shows that the democratic system has really failed.

Bob, this is a very tough one for me. I can definitely see your point and I can concur to a great degree with what you are saying. However, the Sarah Palins of the world, and most politicans for that matter, push themselves into the public eye as leaders or potential leaders. In deciding whether or not these people are good leaders shouldn't we be aware of what kind of people they are when they are not leading. Is it really unfair to look at who their friends are, and what their family is like? If this was some kind of sports figure or actors, I would agree with you 100%, but a politican is someone who wants to be in the spotlight and proclaims, "I can give you a better life". To me, I think I need to know how they think, who they choose for friends, and what kind of family life they lead is to decide if this person is someone I can believe will try to make my life better, or just line their own pockets.

I am very impressed by the caliber of some of his appointments, but I sure would like to see someone in his cabinet that was openly gay. After what happened in California with prop 8, I think it would be very compassionate of Obama to recognize the gay community in some way. Our community has consistently supported this candidate to an almost 90% level after the primary, and I really would like some kind of signal from the White House that we are not forgotten, and our support is remembered.

There are three Mikes in Chiang Mai, down from four. The first mikes is near Taepae gate at the corner of Chang Moi road and Chaiyapoom. The second Mikes is on the corner of Nimmanhaemin Road and soi 2 Nimmanhaemin. The third is in the basement of Central Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall on Huey Kaew Road. The fourth used to be inside the Night Bazaar, but it closed do to lack of customers. Mike's serves a better hamburger then the chains, but nothing to rave about. To my taste, the best deal at Mike's is their hot dogs and chili dogs. They also have some very good non beef sandwiches.

Without aviation my home town, Seattle, would just be a small spot on the map. Thanks to Aviation and Boeing we are one the West Coast's biggest cities. I only wish the old sense of adventure and comfortable travel would come back to flying. I remember when there where no bad seats on a plane, but then I am old.

The phones are fairly cheap to begin with. The problem is the two year contract at $50.00 a month. I bought my phone without a contract, and unlocked, but that cost twice as much as buying one from say Wal-mart. Check out ebay or craigs list for the best prices.

That is one way of looking at Walsh. It also could be that this is how he choose to deal with his anger over losing his son, and the sloppy job the police did in investigating his death. If it is the latter then I would say he has made a healthy choice. That does not take away from the fact that his program "Americas most wanted" is a kind of sensationalized television, that seemed aimed at the less intelligent in our society.

I think the increase in prices is tied to that "only in Thailand" business practice of raising the price when business is slow to make up for lost profits. Don't ask me to explain it, as it just boggles my mind.

He does have good reactions, and I agree that smirk is more telling then ducking the shoe. This is the man who ran on a platform of conservative compassion, and I do not believe that Bush is capable of even basic compassion. Every time I look at this man, I wonder about the fate of a nation that could elect this kind of a man to lead them. Not once, but twice. His presidency has made me question everything about America I thought I knew?

Thanks for the morning laugh. Here are some other Bush jokes I've heard lately. It's finally come out why George W. is pushing childhood literacy. He wants America's children to be better off than he is. A British doctor, a German doctor and an American doctor were chatting. The British doctor said, "Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man put it in another and have him looking for work in six weeks." Then the German doctor bragged, "That''s nothing, we can take a lung out of one person, put it in another and have him looking for work in four weeks." The American doctor, not to be outdone, says, "You guys are way behind. We took a man with no brain out of Texas, put him in the White House, and almost immediately afterwards half the country was looking for work."

Give me a break. When was the last time O'Reiley and his cronies were right about anything? This man is a disgrace to everything the press was suppose to stand for. I wish, more then anything, that Obama would impose the old equal time rule again. Then Morons like O'Reiley and his cronies would have to shut their mouths or give up air time to people who would tell the other side---which is often the truth.

Really, A little to superficial in my reading of this article. It describes what Taskin and the other have done, and what some of their power plays were, but no mention of what the consequences of their actions will be on Thailand. He concludes with this fantasy. "Thailand will soon quiet down, the economy will once again boom and visitors will throng to its temples and beaches. And, with any luck, this king will be around for a good while longer to savor his victory." He sounds like someone who really wishes to return to Thailand and not get on a forbidden entry list. In a way, I hope he is right, but I would not count on it. Especially if the king is not around for a good while longer. Up North the anger and resentment is much deeper then you may imagine in the South. As, one of America's great leaders once said, "You can't fool all of the people, all of the time."

No,. while everyone still calls it that, the name has changed with the new owners. The family that used to own the Montri owns a guesthouse by the river called the Hollande Montri, but you were by Taepae gate and that hotel has new owners and a new name. However, I did not mean to interrupt your story. I am wanting to know more about your trip, and what happened to your wrist. I promise I will not correct you again. So far this sounds like something that I should try when I return. A really good way to see Thailand. Cost?

I agree with Bob, it is a great deal and a good ride. I might add that they pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Pattaya, so no need to red cab to and from the bus station. One of the best services that I have found in Thailand.

He is planning to spend 500 million on a presidental library, and one of the jobs of the permanent staff will be to put the best spin on many of his incredibly stupid decisions. The Huffington post had a great article on the stupidity of this overpriced monument to failure. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huff...ra_b_35003.html

I think it is overwelming ego, rather then stupidity. Besides Ryan and Blagojevich, Governor Walker was convicted of Bank Fraud shortly after he left office. Illinois must be a hard state to find honest men in politics. A continuing Daley legacy?

No you did not meet there. The Montri has been bought from the family that owned it for 40 years, remodled, and made into a nice 4 star. Now called the Brix or something like that. Still the best location in town with reasonable rates. I am mad that I have never tried this. It does sound like fun. Sorry about the wrist.

I agree with gaythailand. This war is an abomination. Maybe if we quit spending billions each month on this stupidity we can consecrate on our economy and get back some of our reputation.

Thanks Monkey see. That is the way I read it also, but it sounded to stupid to be believed. Only in Thailand has a new name. Dumb and dumber.

I've done the comparison in my head, talked to a local gourmet restaurant owner (my friend), and respectfully disagree as to being overpriced. Still a bargain. Perhaps your assertions as to cost differ radically from mine. Lay out your estimates and I will have my restaurant friend give you his cost for the same thing and then you can see. Assuming the same quality of food, Pascals is still a bargain.

Actually, I compare the quality of the food for the price with the same quality of food in some of NYC's restaurants (I agree other cities may be used to compare). Casa Pascal's is a bargain. You are not buying a hot dog or a Pizza, but a quality gourmet meal.

I've got a question that I have not seen an answer to on any board. I land in Thailand and get a 30 day visa and then go to Chiang Rai and cross the border into Burma. When I return I only get a 15 day visa? Hardly seems right, but that is how it reads to me.

I just flew out of Chiang Mai after 27 great days, and I concur with the slow high seasonal turnout. I have never seen so few people in the city during this normally busy time of the year. While you are in town I do recommend a trip to Doi Sutep, and the elephant farm. Pick up a copy of Chiang Mai City Life or Chiang Mai Mail for current events. Enjoy, you lucky guy.

I am kind of curious why the owner of a message board would not ask his contributors what is the best way to get to Chiang Mai without flying. Twelve hours is not that bad of a time for driving, but (as you now know) not a good idea. If you had asked I have the feeling that you would have tried the overnight train. Just a thought, and I hope the hotel you picked worked out. You may be surprised to find out that some of the many 5 star hotels in CM are not that good a deal.

Have you priced a good NYC restaurant lately. At Pascal's the food is great, the owner is on site and oversees the preparation, and I think the price is reasonable. You have been right on with many of your recommendations, but on Pascals we will have to agree to disagree. I only wish I was in Pattaya to enjoy the dinner.