Gaybutton

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Stranded Aircraft Allowed to Leave Published on December 1, 2008 Move follows negotiations between AOT and the PAD; industry officials say loss is now 'incalculable' Airports of Thailand (AOT), the operator of Suvarnabhumi Airport, yesterday gave the green light to Thai Airways International and other airlines to remove a total of 88 aircraft grounded since last Tuesday. "We've told every airline that they can remove their stranded aircraft if their pilots are ready," said Serirat Pasutanond, AOT's acting president. The green light followed lengthy negotiations with leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who laid siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, while law enforcement officials have been unable to disperse the anti-government protesters. PAD is now under heavy pressure to alleviate the situation because 160,000 Thais and foreigners have been stranded here and abroad due to its unlawful act. In the first positive development since the start of the airport siege on November 25, Serirat said last night that several aircraft of THAI and other airlines had already left Suvarnabhumi so that they could fly these aircraft to U-Tapao, Chiang Mai, Phuket or other regional international airports to help stranded passengers. The airport will remain closed until 6pm today due to the presence of protesters, making it unsafe to reopen the airport. Meanwhile, Pramong Suthiwong, chairman of Thailand's Board of Trade, yesterday urged the government to re-open Suvarnabhumi airport as soon as possible because the damage from its closure is now "incalculable". Dr Olarn Chaipravat, the deputy premier in charge of economic affairs, will today hold an urgent meeting with Pramon and other private sector executives to discuss the situation. Leaders of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers Association, and Tourism Council of Thailand will also join the meeting. The private sector said an extended closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports would also severely damage the country's international reputation, while the recovery process will take more than one year. Pornsilp Patcharinkul, a senior executive of the Board of Trade, said fresh food, orchids, electronics, jewellery and other exporters are badly hit by the airport closures with damage estimated to be around Bt3 billion per day. Fresh fruit and vegetable exporters could not do their business because they needed to use cold storage facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport, he said. The private sector is not sure how long it would take to reopen the airports as a reopening will likely require certification from the international aviation body for safety reasons. Somkiat Anuraj, vice chairman of the Board of Trade, said it may take more than one year to fix the country's international image if the forced closure of airports lasted more than a week. "Thai exporters will lose lots of business opportunities as buyers will turn to other countries. Unfortunately, this is happening during the peak export period as lots of orders are received in November and December," he said. Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of Federation of Thai Industries, said the government may have to use part of the additional Bt100-billion fiscal budget to revive tourism, aviation and export sectors hit by airport closures. For example, there could be special travel packages for domestic tourists to help operators in tourism, hotel, restaurant and related sectors cope with the business downturn as the number of foreign visitors is likely to drop sharply. At this stage, foreign arrivals could have plunged to just 7-8 million next year down from the 13-14 million arrivals, resulting in a major loss of jobs in tourism and related sectors. Tourism and other services currently account for 40 per cent of Thailand's GDP. Kosit Panpiemras, executive chairman of Bangkok Bank, said yesterday that if the airport closure is longer than 1-2 weeks, businesses will be hit hard. Pairoj Vongvipanond of Dhurakij Pundit University, said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would likely step down or dissolve Parliament to end the crisis, while Pasuk Phongpaichit of Chulalongkorn University said there should not be another coup. Meanwhile, Thailand Development Research Institute has projected that economic growth will be only 1.9 per cent for 2009, compared with an estimated growth of 4 per cent this year.

Apparently the same people who handled the situation in New Orleans after the hurricane found new jobs in Thailand . . .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Yellow, Red Camps Bring Country Closer to the Brink By The Nation National divide is deepening drastically, with sporadic lawlessness threatening to spread on both sides of the conflict Sporadic mob rules have threatened to take on a far larger scale this weekend, with protesters on both sides of the political showdown showing less and less respect for the rule of law and human rights. After the Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports have fallen to the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, now the Constitution Court is in danger of being surrounded by red-shirt pro-government protesters and nobody knows what is going to happen if the court on Tuesday decides to disband three ruling parties. Equally worrisome are minor incidents across the country. Vendors watching ASTV have been intimidated by red-shirt people. PAD protesters have fired on a reporter's car, although that was described as a mistake (the car was mistaken as that of assailants). Southern anti-government protesters have threatened to seize provincial halls in all 14 southern provinces if a crackdown was initiated against Suvarnabhumi protesters. Prime Minister Somchai yesterday took a pilgrimage to pay respect to a Buddhist holy site in Nakhon Phanom while red shirt crowds have threatened to become vigilantes to punish yellow shirt protesters. Somchai went to pray before the Buddha's relic at Wat Phra That Phanom, People Power Party MP Paijit Srivorakan said. Following his visit to the temple, he would spend a night in Udon Thani where a pro-government rally took place. He is expected today to return to his temporary office in Chiang Mai. Paijit said northeastern constituents as well as their MPs would rally to show moral support for the prime minister. In Chiang Mai, several pickup trucks filled with progovernment crowds were driven to a number of crowded public places rousing the people to take the law into their hands and attack the yellow shirt protesters and their supporters. In the message, people have been encouraged to identify and shut down businesses and shops run by or linked to the protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy. On Friday's night, a number of redshirt men forced a noodle vendor at Nong Hoy market to close down on the ground for watching the anti-government programmed aired by ASTV satellite station. Between Friday and yesterday, redshirt crowds distributed flyers in English to foreign visitors criticising the seizure of two major airports at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. Speaking in the capital, Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutarak warned that the chance for a negotiated settlement was fast diminishing as time dragged on. The country is heading for unprecedented violence and bloodshed, he said. He called for Interior Minister Kowit Watana, who is in charge of crowd control, to quickly commence negotiations with the PAD before it was too late. He went on to criticise former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for resuming his political activities which have in turn inflamed the situation. The situation might turn into a violent mayhem following yesterday's rally by the redshirt crowds at Sanam Luang, he said. In Udon Thani, about 10,000 redshirt crowds rallied to support the government and safeguard Somchai during his overnight stay, organiser Kwanchai Praipana said. Kwanchai said each northeaster constituency would mobilise about 20,000 people to rally in Bangkok on Tuesday in order to oppose the anticipated disbandment of the ruling party. He called on the government to allow redshirt crowds to disperse the yellowshirt protesters if police failed to do their job. Two MPs from Lop Buri, Suchart Lainamngern and Amnuay Klangpha, predicted that more than 100,000 red shirt crowds would turn out to rally by Tuesday in order to counter the PADled protests. The PAD has, meanwhile, been mobilising the protesters from the 14 southern provinces to reinforce the anti-government crowds at the three rally sites, Government House, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. PAD's Nakhon Si Thammarat chapter leader Osoth Suwansawaet said each local chaper was responsible for dispatching 200300 protesters daily to the three rally sites. Osoth said PADled protesters were fully braced for crowd dispersal measures and would fight if redshirt crowds descended on them. He threatened to seize every provincial hall and block interprovincial roads in the South if police cracked down on protesters at the two airports. Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Panu Uthairat and his counterpart in Songkhla Sonthi Techanan said they had taken precautionary measures to preempt any attempts to blockade provincial halls. Government spokesman Natthawut Saikua said it was evident from news clips that PADled protesters were armed and tried to attack unarmed police. "Armed protesters should immediately stop violent attacks against the unarmed authorities," he said. He said the prime minister and his government have remained fully functioning although the situation has to be reassessed on a daily basis. The Tuesday's Cabinet meeting is expected to proceed but the venue has yet to be picked, he said. The government sponsored merit making ceremony is on track for Tuesday although it is uncertain whether Prime Minister Somchai will leave Chiang Mai to personally chair the event, he said. Somchai remains uncertain whether he can attend ceremonies relating to His Majesty's birthday, he added. He insisted that the government refused to step down either by resigning or by House dissolution because this would tantamount to allowing the victory to the PAD.

One of the articles mentions where to go in Bangkok for those traveling on Thai Airways. Nothing is said in the articles about what to do if you're in another city. The Thai Airways office in Pattaya is located right where North Road (Pattaya Nua) curves and becomes Beach Road. If you are in Pattaya, that's where I would try first. The following two articles appear in THE NATION: _____ News Update on Stranded Passengers By The Nation Thai Airways International said Sunday it would service 31 special flights at U-Tapao Airport - 18 departures and 13 arrivals - to help evacuate stranded tourists whose numbers have reportedly reached 160,000. "Given the large number of passengers, in-person contacts are advised," a THAI official said. To secure a seat back home, passengers must contact the airline's offices on Vibhavadi-Rangsit, Lan Luang or Silom roads for flight rerouting and rescheduling, the officer said. Then they can go to the Centara Grand Hotel to checkin at least five hours before departure time before being transferred to U-Tapao, 190 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Arriving passengers are also transferred to Centara Grand, which will operate THAI checkin counters under contract only until tomorrow. The Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre is expected to open for checkin at 8am today, the officer said. Frankfurt and Copenhagen are the only two European cities that THAI would fly to, she said. In Japan, the only destination is Narita Airport and in India, it is New Delhi. THAI would also serve Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing and Sydney. Seats to Europe are fully booked until Wednesday. The Tourism Authority of Thailand opened a hot line at 1672 to provide updated information to tourists. Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat urged all Thais to take care of the visitors, saying Thais are tourist ambassadors. If travelers return home with a good impression, confidence would be restored quickly. The 460 Muslim pilgrims who have been waiting for a flight to Mecca since the seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport by protesters, finally took off from UTapao last night. They checked in at Suvarnabhumi in the afternoon and were transferred to the eastern airport on 17 buses. About 200 Hajj pilgrims are reportedly still left behind as Royal Jordan Airlines has not yet replied if it would come pick up them up. Serirat Prasutanond, acting president of Airports of Thailand, said The People's Alliance for Democracy has been asked to allow 88 aircraft parked at Suvarnabhumi to leave so hapless passengers can get out. He had tried several times but failed to convince PAD leaders at the airport to allow airline officers to fly the empty planes from the airport. "I don't call this a negotiation, but I would say I'm begging," he said. PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang aid AOT and the airlines should send workers to maintain the planes, as PAD guards lack any knowledge about such matters. He asked AOT to put the aircraft under tight supervision as he knew someone out there wanted to damage the airport's facilities. A THAI stewardess also asked the PAD to release jetliners at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. "I know that they are protesting for a cause, but these foreign travellers do not deserve to suffer from our domestic issues. They need to go home," she said. THAI has also started up daily flights between UTapao and Hat Yai. Today and tomorrow, TG2349 will depart from UTapao at 2pm and from Hat Yai at 4.15pm. __________ Several Nations Race to Repatriate Nationals Stranded in Thailand By The Nation, Agencies Foreign nations have rushed to evacuate their nationals being stranded in Thailand after anti-government protesters closed down Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports. China had provided seven charter flights to repatriate its stranded nationals, believed to number 2,000-3,000 people, by Saturday and had further flights planned for Sunday, Xinhua news agency said. The agency said the first of the flights bringing home Chinese citizens arrived in Shanghai early on Sunday. Meanwhile Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has ordered her foreign department to account for hundreds of Filipinos among those stranded in the Thai capital and asked that they be brought home to Manila from the northern city of Chiang Mai. Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said his government was becoming increasingly frustrated by Thai authorities' inability to help evacuate tourists caught up in the demonstrations which have paralysed air traffic. "It's very frustrating for us and it's very frustrating for those stranded Australians," he said. "Some are becoming increasingly distressed, and we understand that. We've been working very hard putting pressure on the Thai airlines and on the Thai tourism authorities to try and get some Thai airline flights out. He said Canberra had urged Thai airlines and tourism authorities to provide extra flights out and accommodation for the hundreds of luckless Australian visitors, but noted that "we can't rely upon... that presenting a conclusion". Australian airline Qantas would provide extra flights to Thailand, but that is dependent upon getting access to the airports and getting flights in, Smith said. Japan's two major airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said Sunday they are organising flights from the U-Tapao air base to bring back tourists stranded by mass protests. Meanwhile Spain will send three planes, two military aircraft and a chartered plane to Thailand to bring back some 300 of its citizens. "Considering the special circumstances in Thailand, the Spanish government has decided to take action so that Spanish nationals affected by the continuing closure of the Bangkok airports can return home," said a foreign ministry statement.

Braces.

I posted this as part of another post I wrote in a different thread. In case you missed it, I'm re-posting here, so that those of you stranded in Pattaya are aware that help is available. I'm sure others who live in Pattaya will try to come to the rescue too if you are stranded and need some help: _____ If any readers here are stranded in Pattaya, I have a car. If you need any help, all you have to do is contact me and I'll do what I can for you. Just send an Email to me at gaybutton@gmail.com . That's the quickest way to contact me. If you have a telephone number and let me know what it is, I'll call you. If you don't have a phone, let me know that and I'll reply to your Email with my number. If you need any help, once you have my number feel free to call me at any hour, day or night. I don't mind that at all, even if you have a need to contact me in the wee hours. It's not a problem for me.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ At U-Tapao: 'They have killed tourism' By Newley Purnell, Agence France-Presse U-Tapao - Not even the dancing girls provided by a local hotel could cheer thousands of travelers as they tried to flee protest-hit Thailand through this Vietnam-era airbase. "This is my first time in Thailand and I probably won't come back," said Glen Squires, a 47-year-old tourist from England, casting a glum eye over the crowds. "What they've done is shot themselves in the foot." Since Friday, the U-Tapao naval base about 190 kilometres (118 miles) southeast of Bangkok has been the only way in or out of the country for tourists stranded by an anti-government blockade of the capital's main airports. Travelers who arrived here found crowds of tired and angry passengers, armed guards, piles of garbage, mountains of luggage, and an increasingly tense and surreal atmosphere. Built in the 1960s by the US air force and equipped with just one X-ray scanner for bags, the airbase can only handle around 40 flights a day, compared to the 700-flight capacity of Bangkok's gleaming Suvarnabhumi international airport. But thanks to the demonstrations, it's all that Thailand has to offer. "I think it's stupid," said Danny Mosaffi, 57, from New York City. "They have killed tourism in this country, the authorities should go do something. Nobody is going to come here." Thai authorities say around 30,000 travelers a day -- both Thai and foreign -- have had flights cancelled since the occupation of Suvarnabhumi on Tuesday in what the protesters are calling their "final battle" against the government. Some travel agents bussed passengers down to U-Tapao, which is near the tourist resort of Pattaya, but with information proving difficult to come by in Bangkok, others came on their own more in hope than expectation. Huge traffic jams built up outside the sprawling compound. Thai soldiers with M16 rifles guarded the entrance to the airport to prevent anti-government protesters from gaining access, as travelers lugged their bags under the sun. Once inside the terminal, it was standing room only. Travelers were unsure where they should check in. Long queues wound around the lone luggage scanner, where soldiers tried to hold back the surging crowd. "It's complete chaos and pandemonium," said Bonnie Chan, 29, from San Diego, California. "We've been given incorrect information from the airlines. The US embassy says they can't help us. We're high and dry. The airlines keep giving us the run-around." With no departures board available, airline employees held up signs that said "Final boarding call, Moscow," while other staff stood inside the security area and pressed signs against a glass window calling for passengers to board a flight to Hong Kong. At one point, a group of unruly passengers pushed their way through a door to the security screening area after an airport employee announced the final boarding call for a flight to Taipei. One woman, caught in the surge, began to scream, and the soldiers forced the doors shut. "We've treated six patients today," said Nan Soontornnon, 24, of Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, standing with a doctor and nurse in a makeshift clinic. "Passengers have had headaches, exhaustion, and other problems, like fainting. But this place has protection from the soldiers -- Suvarnabhumi doesn't," she said. U-Tapao's only other selling point was when female employees from one enterprising Pattaya hotel, taking advantage of the captive audience, put on a traditional Thai dance performance. The women later donned red and silver dresses with feather boas, singing: "You'll fall in love in Pattaya. There's no better place to be."

Geroge, I really don't want to get into this. Please suffice it to say it was a person who self-proclaimed that title and for various reasons is no longer permitted to post on this web site. Let's just leave it at that.

No. I missed that one. I'll try to find it somewhere.

If you need to follow the special announcements issued by Thai Airways, you can do so at the following link: http://www.thaiairways.com/Homepage/announ...a_situation.htm

Not at all. Every one of your posts are good ones. I find no fault with any of them. The fact that the contest is being financed solely with GT's money, and not one baht of it is coming out of my own pocket, has nothing to do with my personal opinion of people who appeared on this board only to try to win the contest and will disappear as soon as it's over.

Indeed you did. Make sure to place the photo on the contest thread if you want it to be eligible to win the contest.

These are parentheses: ( ) These are brackets: [ ]

When is enough enough? The PAD is now making threats to take over Thailand's seaports if they're forced out of the airports. As everyone knows, the PAD is trying to force Somchai out of office because they feel he is a puppet for Thaksin. Ok, I'd like to ask what has Somchai done to make them feel that way? As far as I know, Somchai's only crime is the fact of his marriage to Thaksin's wife's sister. What has he actually done that shows he is anything other than a completely honorable man? As far as I know, so far he hasn't done a damned thing to indicate that he is allowing Thaksin to run the show for him. The PAD, in my opinion, has virtually tried and convicted him before he has even committed the crime. Have any of you ever read the book or seen the movie "Seven Days in May"? If you're not familiar with it, the story is about a disgruntled general who tries to set up and stage a coup in the USA. The story climaxes when he and the President finally have a face-to-face confrontation. The President loses his temper with the general and tells him that if he is so dissatisfied with the way he runs the government, "Then by God, run for office!!!" instead of setting the stage for the total destruction of the very government he claims to be trying to protect. I see many similarities to that premise and the current situation in Thailand. Instead of holding an entire nation hostage and causing untold hardships to hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people, why can't they run for office during the next elections? Again, much of the current goings-on hold a special place on my "I Don't Get It" list. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Tension May Worsen with Pro-govt Rally By The Nation on Sunday Published on November 30, 2008 PAD May Try to Seize Seaports if Airports Takeover Fails to Force PM Out of Office The political situation could become more tense today when government supporters stage a mammoth rally in Bangkok as the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy protesters continue to hold hostage the city's two airports. The pro-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship said yesterday that it would hold a massive rally at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Lan Kon Muang ground this afternoon with as many as 100,000 people expected to take part. The rally venue was scheduled for Sanam Luang but changed later. Police yesterday increased their presence near Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which were seized last week by PAD protesters, but made no attempt to disperse them. Meanwhile the PAD yesterday mobilised more supporters from the provinces to join its rally in Bangkok. The PAD may also try to seize seaports on the Eastern Seaboard if the takeover of the airports fails to force the premier out of office, Suthi Atchasai, a PAD leader from the East, told protesters at Suvarnabhumi yesterday. Hundreds of PAD protesters managed to force a group of policemen manning a checkpoint on King Kaew Road, which leads to Suvarnabhumi Airport, to move out of the area. The protesters said the checkpoint was aimed at cutting off their supplies by preventing vehicles with food and drink from entering the protest site. The pro-government DAAD said yesterday that its planned rally today was necessary as it was highly probable that three coalition parties, including the core People Power Party, would face dissolution when the Constitution Court ruled on the electoral-fraud cases later this week. The DAAD said it would have to deal with the PAD protesters by itself as police appeared to have taken no action against them. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsa-wat yesterday said he was willing to talk with the PAD leaders but would not resign or dissolve the House of Representatives, as demanded by the protesters. "House dissolution and resignation must not be the conditions. This matter is for the political side to implement in accordance with the Constitution," Somchai said. He also called on the protesters to end their takeover of the city's two airports, for the sake of the country. "Takeover of an airport is wrong. It is a severe threat to the country's security. The world community's confidence in Thailand is gone. If the takeover continues, Thailand will become isolated. This incident has caused much damage to the country's image as well as its revenue," said the prime minister. "[The PAD] says the government is causing damage to the country in order to remain in office. My question is: what has the government done to create that damage? And what about the seizure of airports? Is that not damage to the country?" Somchai said. Somchai said he would remain in Chiang Mai but did not say where the next Cabinet meeting tomorrow would be held. PAD co-leader Chamlong Sri-muang said early yesterday he was ready to talk with the prime minister but not in Chiang Mai, where Somchai has been staying for fear of a coup. Chamlong said the PAD leaders would talk to Somchai only in person, not on the phone. The PAD co-leader said he expected the ongoing turmoil to end before His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5. The prime minister gave a national address last night, calling on citizens to do good deeds in honour of His Majesty the King ahead of his birthday.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Rush to Get Out By Post Reporters Tens of thousands of stranded passengers have been squeezing into the only terminal at U-tapao airport to catch flights out of the country. Tents have been erected outside the terminal to provide shelter to the passengers and more mobile toilets have been installed. Traffic to the airport, in Rayong's Ban Chang district, has been backed up for several kilometres. Capt Kiatkul Suwan, who oversees the airport, said immigration officers are working around the clock. On average, about 50 international flights have left the facility daily after the airport was opened for commercial flights. Each flight can accommodate 200-300 passengers. Transport Minister Santi Promphat said the air force base in Don Mueang has also been opened for commercial flights to held stranded passengers get out of the country. He said authorities were also negotiating with neighbouring countries to see if they can reroute passengers to their airports and send them home. He said the government is doing its best to resolve the crisis after People's Alliance for Democracy supporters continued their siege of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The tourism industry across the country has been dealt a massive blow with the shutdown of Suvarnabhumi, the country's main commercial gateway to the world, as well as Don Mueang airport, which mainly handles domestic flights. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related business owners in key tourist destinations from Satun to Chiang Rai have reported cancellations. They believe the shutdown of the airports has not only caused difficulties for tourists but has also undermined tourists' confidence in Thailand. In Chiang Rai's popular Phu Chi Fah area, about 10 per cent of the hotel reservations have been cancelled. More cancellations are expected as the crisis in Bangkok drags on. Somkiat Chuenthirawong, the chairman of Chiang Rai's tourism association, said the tourism and service sector is losing huge amounts of income and any reopening of the two airports is nowhere in sight. He added that a massive drop in income from tourism is widely expected in the industry if the situation is not resolved soon. Satun is already facing a grim holiday season. About 50 per cent of the bookings during the Christmas and New Year festivities, mainly by foreign tourists, have been cancelled. In Hat Yai, Songkhla's commercial district, a large of number of foreign tourists arrived to board planes out of the country. The stranded tourists have headed to Hat Yai, from where they can fly or go overland to Malaysia and Singapore and return to their home countries from there. "Several hundred buses to Malaysia and Singapore are fully booked. The tourists have been advised to come to Hat Yai for flights to Malaysia or Singapore and then return home," said Kriangkrai Samphankul, chairman of the Phatthalung tourism association. "But some are taking the opportunity to explore Hat Yai as well while they are here."

Not at all, gents. If I didn't enjoy doing it, I wouldn't do it. As far as my eligibility is concerned, I'm not the least bit upset that I'm not eligible. I didn't expect to be. I also could have resigned as moderator. Then I would have been just as eligible as anyone else. You asked if I care to explain why I feel the way I do about some people who I believe are trying to take advantage. The answer is simple. No, I do not care to explain. I would have thought it is obvious. I guess it isn't. As it stands as of yesterday (I won't know today's tally until midnight) 29 people have their names in the hat. Again, the actual number of posts anyone writes in total is not what wins the contest. If you have 3 posts in one day, your name goes into the hat for that day, but only once. You could write 50 posts in one day if you really want to, but your name goes in the hat only once per day as long as you have written at least 3 posts that day. As for the totals since the beginning of the contest, MonkeySee you are leading the pack. As of last night's tally, I've got you down for 234 qualifying posts. You're definitely keeping me busy.

My interpretation is that it applies anywhere in Thailand. Not everyone stranded is in Bangkok. The Ambassador Hotel, just south of Pattaya, according to the article is full. But they do tell you to show the hotel your evidence of being stranded and the hotel will credit you with up to 2000 baht per day applied to room and food. That's not bad at all. That should be more than enough to cover the cost of the room and food unless you're going to stay at one of the high end expensive hotels. You might want to check to see if any of the gay hotels are honoring the offer. As long as you're stuck, you might as well enjoy it. If a serviced apartment will honor that, obviously it won't include food since they have no restaurant. However, you might want to call one of the TAT numbers or dial 1337 to find out what to do about food. If you can't get through, the TAT office is open 24 hours a day now and you might a well go there. If any readers here are stranded in Pattaya, I have a car. If you need any help, all you have to do is contact me and I'll do what I can for you. Just send an Email to me at gaybutton@gmail.com . That's the quickest way to contact me. If you have a telephone number and let me know what it is, I'll call you. If you don't have a phone, let me know that and I'll reply to your Email with my number. If you need any help, once you have my number feel free to call me at any hour, day or night. I don't mind that at all, even if you have a need to contact me in the wee hours. It's not a problem for me.

The following two articles appear in PATTAY ONE: _____ Emergency Meeting Discusses Local Assistance for Stranded International Tourists On Thursday Afternoon, Khun Mongkol, the Chief of Banglamung District chaired an emergency meeting to discuss the currently situation in Bangkok and the affect on Tourists residing here in Pattaya following the closure of Suvanabumi Airport. The District Chief announced that Pattaya City Hall and Banglamung City Hall’s can be contacted by Tourists who are stranded here in Pattaya following the airport closure which could last for some time. For the latest information the Pattaya City Call Center 1337 can be contacted and for those who need to leave Thailand urgently can also contact 1337 and decisions on whether to accommodate requests to leave Thailand urgently will be decided case-by-case by an emergency committee which has been set up. U-tapao Airport in Sattahip is still operating and can be used. So if you are stranded here in Pattaya and have problems with money or visas or if you require any advice regarding the use of other forms of transport to leave Thailand please call 1337. ____________________ Tourists Stranded in Pattaya Wonder when the Bangkok Protests will End Because of the Airport closures in Bangkok, thousands of foreign tourists are stranded here in Thailand. Many have come to Pattaya to wait for news regarding their flights. Many are angry, some have resigned themselves to the fact they are stuck here and are making the most of their extended holidays. It is clear that whenever the PAD protests at the airports come to an end, there will not be an immediate re-opening as security at both airports have been breached and damage has been caused. There were reports of some International Journalists walking onto the tarmac and up to parked planes with no signs of any security in place. Everyone is now wondering what the next move will be as the Army appear not to support the idea of using force to disperse the protesters and the Police have also claimed they will not use force. Some tourists are running out of money and others now have expired visas. Tourists with expired visas should make their way to the Immigration Office located in Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road where we understand that if evidence is produced to confirm they have been forced to remain here because of the problems, free visa extensions will be given. Many are hoping that the nearby U-Tapao Military Airport in Sattahip will be used for international flights, however due to the size of the airport it is unlikely that regular international flights will be possible. If you require urgent repatriation you must contact your Embassy who will listen to your case and make a judgment if an urgent evacuation from Thailand is required. Other options such as traveling to Cambodia or Laos by road are also being considered by some Tourists at this time. ____________________ And this, from the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS _____ THOUSANDS OF STRANDED TOURISTS AWAIT FLIGHTS HOME AT PATTAYA HOTELS Thai Airways have brought tourists from two airports in Bangkok to temporarily check in at the Ambassador Hotel Jomtien and a few more hotels nearby before flying back to their countries from U-tapao airport. At 00.20 am. on 29th November 2008, our reporter was informed that over ten thousands tourists were waiting to check in at the Ambassador Hotel Jomtien, in front of the hotel and inside the Ocean Wings building. Mr. Anusak Rodbunmee, the hotel General Manager said the hotel has total of 4000 rooms but some of these have already been booked and could only offer 1,300 rooms for this urgent matter. Other hotels nearby had been approached and offered their rooms at a special rate. Mr. Tanasan Sarakol, the general manager of the Best Western Bella Villa said they will offer a 50% discount for tourists who are waiting for their flights. The first two flights Thai Airways could organise from U-Tapao were to Japan and Paris According to our information all the tourists' expenses including hotel accommodation and food would be paid for by Thai Airways. Reporters had noticed that some of tourists had run out of money and could not even pay for their drinks. Pattaya Bangkok Hospital also joined in to help by offering their ambulances and other services to patients (tourists) who needed help. 30 people had been treated yesterday but so far no one has requested treatment for any serious conditions. Mr. Akarawit Tepalak, Deputy Director of Pattaya Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that TAT, all concerned officials and local private companies have co-operatively set up an urgent care center at TAT office, Pratumnak Road, Banglamung open 24 hrs since 28th November. The center can be contacted at tel: 038-428750, 427667, 089-0999726, and Email:tatchon@tat.or.th. There are now over 100,000 tourists stranded in Thailand awaiting flights home and PDN has received unconfirmed reports that they will be receiving 2000 baht per day in compensation from the Thai government.

Actually, it's my "I Don't Get It" list, but much of what's going on definitely qualifies for the list.

This is excellent information and I had no idea about any of it before. For those who use the rapid transit system in Bangkok regularly, this could be quite useful. As for the two cards conflicting with each other, somehow I'm not surprised.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ One Million to be Unemployed from Suvarnabhumi Closure Deputy Prime Minister for economics Olarn Chaipravat said the government may have to pay about one billion baht to about 500,000 stranded Thais and foreigners at Suvarnabhumi airport, or about 2,000 baht per person a day. Because Suvarnabhumi airport was under siege by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), more unemployment in the tourism sector would arise because the number of tourist arrivals next year would plunge, according to Mr Olarn. The deputy premier said the initial forecast estimated 13.5 million tourists would travel to Thailand in 2009, but the figure would definitely drop due to the current political situation. As a result, about one million people working in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses could be laid off next year, Mr Olarn said.

Thank you, jtrack33. I was not aware that you could use a Bangkok Bank ATM card for that purpose. I wonder if it's just Bangkok Bank or if you can do that with any Thai bank's ATM card.

I've brought up this very problem on other threads. If I had to be stuck somewhere, I wouldn't mind it being Pattaya, but if you have no money to at least enjoy it, then it can be a nightmare with everything so near, yet so far. If they have a credit card, they might want to get a cash advance. They might also be able to get their credit card company to raise their credit limit due to an emergency situation. There is also a rather unscrupulous way of getting cash without doing a cash advance and paying the hefty fees credit card companies charge for it. Some of the gold shops will sell you some gold, but what they are actually selling is cash. They'll write a ticket for an equivalent value of a certain weight of gold, put it through as a sale but actually give you cash. They keep a small percentage for themselves. Not all gold shops are willing to do this, but I know that some will. I was with a friend who did that about a year and a half ago and saw for myself. They might also try contacting their embassy. I don't know what, if anything, the embassy can do, but they might have some suggestions for people stranded and are out of money. If they have anyone back home who can help them, it's expensive, but there's always Western Union. If it looks like this is going to drag on for an extended period of time, they might want to consider renting a condo or an inexpensive room. They would have to pay for at least a full month, but if it's going to be weeks before they can go home (and even if the airports are cleared an hour from now it could take that long to fly people home) it would save them quite a bit of money instead of staying in hotels. They might even be able to negotiate with their hotel, or another hotel, for a less expensive room rate. The hotel may not like it, but it's better than having empty rooms, which would very likely be the case if tourists can't even get to Thailand. Immigration has announced they are going to waive overstay fines for those who can show evidence they were among the stranded, rather than someone trying to take advantage of this situation. It wouldn't hurt for them to go to Immigration and ask if they have any advice for people who are running out of money or maybe have already run out. They could also try contacting the police and the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) for advice. Without knowing how much longer this is going to go on, or how long it will take to be able to go home once this ends, I would advise them to do what they can to be prepared to have to remain here for at least three more weeks. If they run out of money completely, with no way to obtain more, I don't know what they're going to do. It's going to be a serious problem for some people. They'll be forced to spend more than they can afford or even run out of money while stranded here. Then they'll go home only to be faced with no money for the days of work they missed. Some holiday! I wouldn't blame these people if the farthest they ever go from home on a holiday again is ten miles. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ No Way Out By Chatrudee Theparat and Chadamas Chinmaneevong Almost 100,000 foreign tourists are still unable to return home, but the number of passengers stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport may double or triple if the situation is prolonged. U-tapao airport has been used as a gateway for sending foreign visitors home. As of yesterday afternoon, six flights had taken off. The flights will increase to 15 today and 48 tomorrow. Aircraft capacity is about 300 passengers per flight. Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand would serve as check-in venues. Airlines will announce hotels for their check-ins today. Imperial Queen's Park and Holiday Inn are on stand-by to accept passengers checking in for flights. Passengers would then be taken by bus to U-tapao. The Tourism and Sport Ministry would need at least 200 million baht a day, based on 2,000 baht per head for accommodation and meals, as expenses for stranded tourists, according to Minister Weerasak Kohsurat. He said previous figures showed that about 30,000 foreign visitors fly into Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport each day. "Once the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters leave the airport, authorities will need time to restart operations. If the protest is prolonged, stranded foreign visitors may reach 200,000-300,000," Mr Weerasak said. The ministry will ask cabinet to get money from the Budget Bureau. Currently, it has only 10 million baht in initial funds. Yesterday, it called a meeting of 14 airlines, state agencies and the private sector to discuss measures to help foreign visitors get home. Airlines showing readiness to use U-tapao include Lufthansa, EVA Air, Scandinavian, and Canadian airlines. About 2,000 buses would take passengers to U-tapao, a trip of about three hours. U-tapao will also be for incoming flights from abroad. Stranded Thai travellers should contact their local Thai embassy or Thai Airways agent. They can also fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and from there to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi. Thai Travel Agents Association president Charoen Wangananont said the association is checking how many Thai travellers are stranded overseas. The Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Sport ministries will help Thais stranded overseas by offering accommodation and meals until the airports reopen. Wirote Sitaprasertnand, president of the Professional Tourists Guide Association, said some Thai travellers left in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, China, and Laos are arriving by land. Some Thai travellers on long-haul routes have taken flights to neighbouring countries and then caught flights to Chiang Mai or Phuket. He said tour agents are facing problems as airlines from China refuse to give refunds. "They say it's not their mistake, but Thailand's problem. Now operators are negotiating to postpone flights instead of cancelling," he said.

In Thailand? You do know what "fat chance" means, don't you? The only thing you can do that will get you anywhere is to contact the previous owners and hope they are honest. If not, then unfortunately you can kiss 5000 baht goodbye. There's really nothing much else you could do, especially if you don't live here. A letter from a Thai attorney might help, but it would probably be ignored.

Yes, that's definitely important. As much as I would like to see more participants in that contest, I hope nobody posts any photos without consent. Of course, if we find out that such a thing has happened, we will immediately delete the photo and probably ban the person who posted it if we discover he did it intentionally.