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Is anyone else having problems accessing the Gay Ting & Tong web site? For the past three days now, for me it either comes in extremely slowly or doesn't come in at all. If I manage to get through, I am unable to post. In three days I was able to post one message, although I tried to post other messages. I keep getting a 'server timed out' message. I am having no problems accessing any other web sites.

Sheeeeeesh! The thread about the future of Sunee Plaza is turning into the Great Barny, Barney, Barmy, Balmy Debate. Ok, I give up. I won't use any of those words again in future threads. Now I'm sorry I used it in the first place now. I didn't know it was going to cause a brouhaha. While the rest of you debate about it, I'm kind of interested in what people have to say about their ideas concerning the future of Sunee Plaza. You remember that, don't you . . . the subject of this thread? As far as Barny, Barney, Barmy, and Balmy, and lord-knows-what, who cares?

Now that it's past 7:00 PM, the story appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ 2 Seriously Injured in Crash as Brakes Fail on Coach full of Russian Tourists Just after 10.30 on Wednesday Morning, Police from Dongtan Sub-Station located on Jomtien Beach made their way to the scene of a road accident involving a Coach full of Russian Tourists and many other vehicles. Rescue Units were also sent to the scene of the crash which occurred on the Thappraya Road which leads to Jomtien Beach. Two people were seriously injured in the crash which appears to have started when the Coach, operated by the DJ Transport Company and driven by Khun Somai aged 43, lost its brakes as it was travelling down the Thappraya Road towards Jomtien Beach. A total of 9 vehicles were hit as the driver of the coach struggled to control the vehicle which was gaining speed as it approached the Hanaman Statue curve. A man and woman were seriously injured as the Coach collided with vehicles waiting at the traffic lights at the Tepprasit Road intersection. The driver decided that he would be unable to traverse the curve in front of the Statue and decided it would be better for him to collide with concrete barricades located on the curve. His actions were commended by Police who confirmed that brake failure was the cause of the incident.

They usually post their latest news at about 7:00 PM. Right now it's 5:45 PM.

What you're going to have to do is keep an eye out for water delivery trucks in your local area. They almost always have their telephone numbers showing on the side of their trucks. Try to get two or three sets of telephone numbers because sometimes just when you need water, that's when they're not working or can't get to you for hours. It probably will have to be trucks local to your area. It's been over two years since I needed water delivery, but at the time, when just about everyone was going through a severe drought and needed the trucks, they would only work their local areas. I never was able to get trucks from other areas to deliver to my house.

Thai authorities are now going after Thaksin at full force. They are going for extradition and they're going after his money, although I would think Thaksin is smart enough to have made sure he has plenty that can't be touched. You can almost see the news media gloating and gleefully reporting the turn of events. I don't blame them. Many of you probably remember how the media was treated under the Thaksin regime. Now I guess they look at it as payback time. I can see pros and cons to a successful extradition of Thaksin. He still has quite a large following of supporters in Thailand. They would not take kindly to seeing their hero imprisoned. I wonder if putting Thaksin and his wife in prison would be enough to lead to the downfall of the current regime. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Target: Thaksin By Post Reporters Authorities have moved to seize the assets, revoke the diplomatic passports and seek the extradition of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, who have skipped bail and fled to London. The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has set up a team to seek the extradition of Mr Thaksin and his wife. The OAG is also expected to apply for a court order next week for the seizure of the Shinawatra family's assets, worth about 76 billion baht - mostly now frozen at local banks. Deputy Attorney-General Chullasingh Wasantasingh is likely to head the extradition team, said Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, an OAG assistant spokesman. The application would be made under the terms of the 1911 Siam-Great Britain extradition treaty. He said the process should not take long because the possibility of seeking the couple's extradition had been examined in depth before they returned to Thailand early this year. Mr Kosolwat said the authority to seek their extradition rests with the OAG because the couple fled while being tried in court. "But if Mr Thaksin seeks asylum in Britain it will complicate matters," Mr Kosolwat said. In a hand-written statement faxed to media outlets, the ousted prime minister claimed he fled overseas because the justice system in Thailand was being meddled with and he might not receive a fair trial. Deputy Attorney-General Waiyawut Lortrakul, head of the prosecution team in charge of the Assets Scrutiny Committee's cases, said the prosecution had finished drafting the civil suit seeking to confiscate Mr Thaksin's assets. He expected the case to be lodged with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions next week. Mr Waiyawut said the decision to seize the assets was made at a meeting of prosecutors and the National Counter Corruption Commission, which has taken over cases from the now-defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC). Before the handover, the ASC charged that Mr Thaksin had dishonestly accumulated wealth while in office. The ASC, which was disbanded in June, had already frozen assets worth 69 billion baht held by Mr Thaksin and his family members in 16 bank accounts. Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag said yesterday the ministry will make it a priority if there is a request by the court or the prosecution to revoke Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport. So far, the ministry had not received a request or documents relating to warrants for the arrest of Mr Thaksin and his wife, he said. "The ministry will look into criteria for granting or revoking diplomatic passports when there is a chance to ensure that it properly observes the law as well as the ministry's directives," he said. Mr Tej said the ministry will consider what actions to take over the extradition process when it has been properly informed of the situation and legal procedures. Sitthichoke Sricharoen, head of a legal team representing the ASC, said the couple's escape reflects their intention not to fight the charges. However, they can still defend themselves by submitting their testimony in writing. He also underlined that the charges against the couple are not political, but criminal. Dej-udom Krairit, chairman of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, yesterday lambasted Mr Thaksin for attacking the judiciary in his fax. Mr Thaksin claimed the legal procedures against him were like the fruit of poisonous trees and his cases prejudged. According to Mr Dej-udom, Mr Thaksin was the poison. He also urged police to post warrants for the couple's arrests at every port, airport and border checkpoint. ____________________ And this, from TNA: _____ Attorney General Filing Soon to Seize Thaksin Assets BANGKOK, Aug 13 (TNA) -- Thailand's Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is confident that within one week it will be able to proceed with the record confiscation of Bt76 billion in assets earlier frozen from the holdings of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family on charges of having abused his power to make undue personal and family gains. Deputy Attorney General Waiyawuth Lortrakul, who earlier headed a subcommittee under the now-disbanded Assets Examination Committee (AEC), said the proposed confiscation of the assets of Mr. Thaksin and his family valued at Bt76 billion will be forwarded next week by Attorney General Chaikasem Nitisiri to Supreme Court judges dealing with criminal lawsuits involving persons with political status. The former premier had recently failed to appear in court and were believed to be seeking political asylum in Britain. The collected assets of Mr. Thaksin and his family were frozen in 16 bank accounts, including Bt18.1 billion at Bangkok Bank, Bt2.1 billion at the Bank of Ayudhya, Bt39.6 billion at Siam Commercial Bank, Bt1.4 billion at Thanachart Bank, Bt500 million at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Bt15.7 billion at the Government Savings Bank, Bt10 billion at the Islamic Bank of Thailand and Bt2.7 billion at the Securities and Land Depository Centre. They might become assets of the state in due course if the Supreme Court rule in favour of the confiscation of the foreclosed holdings of the former premier and his family. (TNA)

It appears you were deliberately lied to just to get you inside. 150 baht for a water! I almost always support gay venues, but if that's the way they operate, I think I'll give this place a deliberate skip.

I'm wrong? Moi? Oh well, there's a first time for everything . . . .

I hate to break the news, but that's not the term I used. It has nothing to do with Barny, the Dinosaur or the group about which you refer. The term I used is Barmy Army, which means: "The Barmy Army is an organised group of cricket fans which organises touring parties of its members to follow the English cricket team on all of its overseas tours. The group acquired its name during the 1994 - 1995 Test series in Australia and has represented the England fans on every tour since. . . . ." See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmy_Army To my knowledge it also means people who have reached a certain age at which the cheese starts slipping from their Ritz cracker. Their golf bag is short a few irons. They're a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Somehow, I think all of those can easily apply to me.

Two or three times a day! With my sex life I'm happy with a stiff wind. The last time I brought a boy home, when I dropped my pants he dropped his price.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Getaway Planned in Past Month PRADIT RUANGDIT Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to go back into exile overseas followed two meetings with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in the past month, a highly placed source in the People Power party (PPP) said. The two men discussed ways the PPP could deal with the anti-government sentiment that had intensified since Mr Thaksin's return from his first period of self-exile, the source said. Mr Thaksin had agreed to meet with Mr Samak and discuss the possibility of his leaving the country again after people close to him several times urged him to stay overseas until the political rifts in the country eased. People in Mr Thaksin's close circle pointed out that his presence in Thailand had undesirably painted the PPP-led coalition as a nominee government serving his interests, the source said. This image had been the cause of many of the difficulties the government experienced. It could not push through implementation of its policies, Mr Thaksin was told. Members of the previous government also mistrusted him. Negative rumours about Mr Thaksin were frequently circulated and he could not control the situation. More importantly, the political rifts between pro-and anti-Thaksin people had turned increasingly violent. Because of this people around Mr Thaksin suggested that he leave Thailand and live in exile abroad, said the source. At the two meetings Mr Thaksin discussed his best options with Mr Samak. People close to Mr Thaksin were informed about two weeks in advance that he would not return to Bangkok to report to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday, as required, said the source. Mr Thaksin had employed a team of lawyers in Britain to make an application for political asylum, the source said. It was believed they had already filed the papers. The source said it was expected that Mr Thaksin's absence would lead to an easing of political tensions and that Mr Samak would be in sole control of the administration. _______ And this, from TNA: _____ PROSECUTOR PROCEEDS WITH LAND SCANDAL TRIAL IN THAKSIN, WIFE ABSENCE BANGKOK, Aug 12 -- Thailand will continue prosecution of the land scandal purchase case involving ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, a senior official said Tuesday, despite the couple having jumped bail and now living in exile in Britain. Chief prosecutor Nunthasuk Poonsook, in his capacity as a member of the working committee probing the land purchase in Bangkok's prime Ratchadapisek commercial district by the couple, said that the prosecutor would continue the trial until the case is closed on August 22. Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup on Sept 19, 2006, and his wife are still scheduled to testify in court on that day. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday issued arrest warrants for them after they failed to appear at the court in the morning and also confiscated bail totaling Bt13 million. The couple flew to London from Beijing and as Mr. Thaksin said in his handwritten statement distributed to media outlets that he and his wife would not attend the court hearing. The couple was charged with purchasing the property at the questionably low price of Bt772 million (US$26 million) from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003 while he was in office, which was against the constitution. Mr. Thaksin was subsequently charged with alleged corruption and abuse of power. Both Mr. Thaksin and his wife, who was convicted on July 31 on a separate case of tax evasion and released on bail, have denied any wrongdoing. Mr. Nunthasuk said as long as the case is not closed, extradition requests for the couple cannot be lodged with Britain. Also, it has to be studied whether the guilty is committed in both his home country and the country where he is staying. Touching on whether Mr. Thaksin could apply for taking political asylum in Britain, Mr. Nunthasuk said it is "up to the consideration" of British officials. (TNA)

Now, now . . . I used the singular form of "brigade," but you're right. I suppose it's an exaggeration. That's what happens when you hold rank in the 'Barmy Army.'

"It's a great life if you don't weaken." —John Buchan, 1919

Yes. Phnom Penh. See: http://www.manorhousecambodia.com/index.html http://www.utopia-asia.com/camphnom.htm http://dragoncastle.net/cambodia.shtml http://www.purpledrag.com/cambodia/phnompenh.htm http://www.phnompenhnightlife.com/phnompenhnightlife.php http://www.globalgayz.com/g-cambodia.html http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=cambodia2

Neither do I. I see it as a very good thing. I doubt that the bars are all going to eventually close. Maybe the ownership will change hands, but I think the gay bars are there to stay. I think the end result of all this will be a major cleanup of the area, which is exactly what many of us have been hoping for many years. I see no valid excuse at all for bars to intentionally flout the law by hiring under-age boys. Doing so may satisfy the pedophile brigade, but look at the effect on everybody else. Now you can't go to Sunee Plaza without wondering whether you're going to be there just in time for a raid. You can't take a boy off unless you not only check his ID, but you also have to make sure it is actually his ID. You can't be sure that the police won't also check the farang customers for ID and now you face the possibility of arrest if you are not carrying your actual passport, as the law requires. I hope the result will be all the bars operating legitimately for a change. You can bet that the under-age boys and pedophiles will find some other place and some other way to hook up. Fine with me. Let them. Just get them the hell out of Sunee Plaza so that everyone can enjoy being there without all this nonsense hanging over our heads. At the moment, there are some bars I'm afraid to even enter because of all the under-age boys. And they're still there and still operating despite the frequent raids. Quite often there is a tip-off before the raids and the under-age, drug ridden, and illegal alien boys skedaddle. Many of us have been in Sunee Plaza and we hear that a raid will take place as much as two or three hours prior to the raid actually occurring. Personally, I do not fear being there when a raid occurs, but it also would be no fun and would spoil the evening. I look forward to the day when these raids are no longer necessary. In my opinion, the reason the bars hire under-age boys in the first place is because they know there are a lot of customers who want them. How about giving us something else, such as innovative ideas, that will attract just as many customers without having to resort to the use of under-age boys. If you're a bar owner and want to make money, then give me a good reason to patronize your particular bar. Under-age, drug ridden boys isn't the reason. I thought some of the ideas at the Birdcage were excellent ideas, but the location was a poor choice. When Jungle Boys first opened, the idea behind it was good, but the set-up didn't work. Still, at least those were different ideas. I think new, fresh ideas is what Sunee Plaza needs. If nothing else, at least get your dancers to actually dance instead of standing there looking bored and doing the "one-knee shuffle." You'll get me into your bar a lot more often if you reduce the music volume so that I can at least talk to the person sitting next to me and I don't have to walk out of there in pain from my ears throbbing. If you're putting on a show, try coming up with something different from a variation of the same show you'll see in just about every other bar that puts on a show. Try telling the mama-sans to provide service to the customers without being pushy. Try doing raffles for free offs or doing what Monty is doing; no charge for offs after the show is over. Try happy hour drink prices during certain time periods. Try anything, as long as it's something different and doesn't include having to worry about whether your boys are under-age. One more thing. In a few bars, try cleaning up your toilets.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ EX-PM ON THE RUN 'Sinatra' Becomes a Diplomatic Hot Potato Published on August 12, 2008 Speculation about Bid for Asylum; Former PM Claims Courts Unfair The move by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman to flee to the UK has raised speculation about whether he can seek political asylum to escape a host of corruption charges. Thaksin issued a statement yesterday claiming that political motives were behind his decision to live in exile in the UK, where "democracy is more important" than his homeland. "What happened to me and my family and my close relations resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics; by assassination attempts; by military coup; by hand-picking my opponents to handle legal charges," he said in his hand written statement. "These individuals see me as their political enemy. They have no consideration of the judicial system, truth and legal principle. My family and I have been treated unjustly." Thaksin's claim that he and his family face a political threat may be aimed at helping them "fit" the definition on the status of refugees from the 1951 United Nations convention. The UK is a signatory to the convention (unlike Thailand) and has a long history of recognising asylum seekers who lodge credible claims that they were forced to leave and are unable to return to their homeland because a well-founded fear of persecution because of political opinion, race, religion or nationality. People who flee to avoid conviction for corruption or other crimes do not qualify for asylum unless there are serious doubts about the independence of courts in the applicant's homeland, or reasonable fears about their well-being if extradited. In 2006, 17 out of every 100 people who applied for asylum were recognised as refugees and given asylum, according to the UK Home Office. If Thaksin really wants political asylum he must make an application in person as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. "If you delay your application for asylum, it may affect your ability to prove your reasons for it," said the UK Home Office guideline. Applications for asylum can be made at the port of entry or in the case of Thaksin, who has a home near London, he can apply at units that screen asylum seekers in either Croydon (south of London) or in Liverpool. The asylum process takes about 30 days from the lodging of an application to a final decision. If Thaksin applied and was granted asylum, his family would obtain legal protection and the right to live and work in the UK for an initial period of five years. His "case owner" would help him and his family build new lives in the country by giving documents and any information they need. If he applied for but was denied asylum, Thaksin and his family would have the right to appeal and remain in the UK temporarily on humanitarian grounds. In that case, they may be required to comply with certain demands and could be detained if they refused to undertake them. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Thaksin did not need to seek political asylum because he and his family could stay in the UK for some period as an investor or under some other status. He said the ministry had no information on whether Thaksin would seek asylum. Meanwhile, legal experts said Thaksin could be extradited back if the Thai government sought his return under the 1911 Siam-Great Britain extradition treaty. But they said using the treaty may not be an easy way to extradite him as Thai authorities may have to prove he could be prosecuted on similar charges in the UK. The 1911 treaty allows only 31 legal charges as a basis for extradition. And many matters, such abuse of power related to the purchase of state land by his wife, which is currently being heard by the Supreme Court, are not listed in the treaty or UK laws. Thai authorities would also have to prove the charges were not political and the UK courts would have full power to refuse extradition for any reason they saw fit.

That is a very good point. It would be nice if Thailand ever moves toward an 'innocent until proven guilty' country instead of the other way around, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

In case you are wondering, between Thaksin and his wife they have forfeited about 13,000,000 baht, which was the amount they had posted for bail. That works out to nearly US $400,000. Of course, for Thanksin that's not much more than pocket change.

Many of you know that Thailand's Mother's Day is celebrated annually on August 12, the date of the Queen's birthday. Krazy Dragon has announced they will be closed on Tuesday. El Duo is postponing their performance for one day. I have no further information about any other bar closings at this time. The following is El Duo's statement: _____ Regarding the birthday of her Highness Queen Sirikit of Thailand is our show for coming Tuesday (August 12th) postponed to Wednesday August 13th at 9.45pm to 1am. Hope to see you all again in Cafe Royal in Boyztown. The El Duo web site is: http://el-duo.com

Several posters have raised the question that if Thaksin becomes a fugitive from Thai justice, then what country would grant him asylum? My own guess is that Thaksin would not have done this if he didn't have something solid up his sleeve. I think we'll know soon enough just what that might be. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if his wife had not been granted bail and/or had her passport revoked. Both of the following stories appear in THE NATION: _____ Supreme Court Issues Arrest Warrants Against Thaksin, Wife The Supreme Court Monday issued arrest warrants against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman. The Supreme Court issued the warrants after the couple fled to England instead of returning to Thailand to attend a court hearing in the Ratchadapisek land purchase case. The Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Holders of Political Positions said the couple broke their promise to return to the country to attend the trial so the courts issued arrest warrants against them. The Nation ____________________ THAKSIN'S EXILE IN ENGLAND Today is Not My Day : Thaksin By The Nation Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Monday he decided to go into exile in England because of security threats to him and his family, as well as unfair treatment in the country's judicial system. In his statement read out on a state-run NBT TV channel, Thaksin said he and his family will remain in exile in England indefinitely and did not say when he would return to the country. He accused the country's legal system of employing "double standard" in their proceeding with legal matters against him and his family. The former premier said he and his family have repeatedly received death threats and that they had to travel in bullet-proof cars. Thaksin said at first he thought the election result of February 23, which saw the People Power Party (PPP), many of whose members came from his now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, came out victoriously would help "improve the situation". Therefore he decided to return to Thailand on February 28, thinking that the situation would be favorable and "permits me to prove my innocence." "But the situation has worsened. What has happened to me is like a poisoned fruits that came from a poisoned tree," Thaksin said. He claimed there were "intervention in judicial system" that originated from intervention by dictatorship who has hidden agenda to "get rid of me and my family". "These individuals see me as political enemy. They have no consideration to judicial system, truth and legal principle." "My family and I have been continuously treated unjustly. Thaksin apologized to his supporters for having to go into exile and asked them to remain committed to him. "These are all results of my tireless effort to help the country. I apologize for having to seek relocation to England. I ask that all my supporters to remain with me a bit longer," Thaksin said. Thaksin said he revealed the whole truth at an appropriate time, saying "Today is not my day." Thaksin said he and his family remain loyal to the Monarchy "even though some have tried to accuse me of being otherwise." "I may be not a perfect man but I reaffirm that I am as bad as some accused of being. If good fortune were on my side I would like to return to Thailand and die there like all other Thai people. It was not clear if Thaksin will seek political asylum in the United Kingdom where he owns the Manchester City football club

It has now been confirmed that Thaksin and his wife have indeed flown to England. The Thai court has stated that arrest warrants may be issued. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Thaksin Delays his Announcement from London By Piyanart Srivalo The Nation Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who fled to London has delayed his annoucement on his decision not to return home, pending the court's decision in the morning. Thaksin and his wife; Khunying Pojaman, were scheduled to return to Bangkok from Beijing to testify on a trial against them over the purchase of a Rachadapisek plot of land Monday morning. On Sunday, they instead opted to flee to London and his close aides said Thaksin would issue a statement from London at 9am today. Thaksin is owner of England's Manchester City Club. An informed source said Monday Thaksin will wait for the court's outcome before making any statement. Meanwhile a Thaksin's lawyer, who is now at the court said Monday the couple had not contacted him yet. Khamnuan Chalopatham said it was not uncertain whether Thaksin and Pojaman would show up for the trial in the Ratchadapisek land case. Khamnuan said he would wait until 10:30 am before making a statement to the court. The Supreme Court's head office is packed with reporters waiting to cover the corruption case related to the Ratchada land purchase against Pojaman and Thaksin.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ 'Missed the Flight' Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjamarn have fled to London and will not be back for their court cases, a close supporter said on Sunday after the couple failed to catch their scheduled flight back from Beijing to Bangkok. The couple were to catch Thai Airways International Flight 615, which arrived on time at Bangkok at 9:45pm on Sunday - without the high-level passengers on board. Reports they would catch another flight looked like disinformation. People Power party MP Pracha Prasobdee said the couple would not return, despite promises from them and their spokesmen, including Mr Pracha himself. The Samut Prakan MP told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport that Mr Thaksin will make a statement from London at 9am Thailand time on Monday, an hour before he and his wife were ordered to return and report to the Supreme Court on charges they face separately and together. The couple were due to report to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday morning for a hearing on their trials in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Two other cases against Mr Thaksin - the digit lottery case and the Exim Bank soft loan to Burma - are pending in the same court. Five other cases against Mr Thaksin and his cronies are with the Office of the Attorney-General. Flight to London and semi-permanent exile may cause Mr Thaksin and his wife to lose their bail and even cost them them 69 billion baht in frozen funds, it might also be good for the country. "If Thaksin really doesn't come back, the conflict in our country will lessen, which implies that our prolonged political trouble will come to an end soon," Kavee Chukitkasem, head of research at Bangkok brokerage Kasikorn Securities, said. "The markets should definitely rise tomorrow," he added. Last Thursday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand surged by 4 per cent on rumours the couple would be headed into exile. Business circles, at least, believe political tension will easy significantly if the couple stay away for a lengthy time. Thaksin lawyers were quoted by NBT TV news as saying the couple would be represented in court on Monday morning as scheduled - but did not say they would be there in person. They do not need to be present for the land trial to continue on schedule for now. Kriangkrai Juengjaturapit, chief judge of the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said if the couple fail to turn up today their lawyers must offer an explanation to the court. "If there are no reasons given, or the reasons are not good enough, the court will consider that they have the intention of fleeing and they will face arrest warrants," Mr Kriangkrai said. The court would then continue the trial of the couple in absentia until a verdict is given, he said. If the couple fail to appear on the day the verdict is given, the reading of the verdict will be adjourned for 30 days. After that, if the two still do not show up, the court will read out the verdict in their absence, Mr Kriangkrai said. "Until now, there have been no reports that Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman will report to the court, or that they will lodge a request to go overseas," Mr Kriangkrai said. The lawyers told NBT on Sunday Mr Thaksin had ordered his legal team to prepare to fight all charges against him, including the two- and three-digit lottery case, and the four billion baht loan granted to Burma. The deposed premier also ordered the legal team to prepare to file lawsuits against core leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Kraisak Choonhavan, a Democrat party list MP and former senator, on defamation charges. Their son and daughter, Mr Panthongtae and Miss Pinthongta, had earlier flown to England to meet their parents, a Thai newspaper reported. Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjamarn had attended the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday evening. Rumours they were preparing to go into exile dominated Bangkok political circles last week. Their spokesmen have repeatedly said the duo will be back and make their court appearance and lawyers encouraged that charade by detailing alleged plans to ask the court for permission for another trip abroad.. But on Sunday, both Pongthep Thepkanchana and Sansanee Nakpong were unavailable, their mobile phones switched off and their credibility likely ruined. Background report: The following story appeared in Saturday's Bangkok Post (Aug 9, 2008): Thaksin Asylum Bid Talk Swirls By Pradit Ruangdit and Wichit Chantanusornsiri A question mark still hangs over whether former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman will return to Thailand to face legal proceedings, with speculation rife the couple may seek asylum. They were in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics yesterday. It was reported that the couple may go into exile overseas to escape the legal proceedings awaiting them at home. The couple are being tried at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for alleged wrongdoing in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Two other cases against Mr Thaksin _ the lottery case and the Exim Bank loan to Burma _ are pending in the same court. Five other cases against Mr Thaksin and his cronies are with the Office of the Attorney-General. Thaksin: Colleague says he will be back On July 31, the Criminal Court found Khunying Potjaman guilty of conspiring to evade tax totalling 546 million baht in the transfer of shares in the Shinawatra Computer and Communication company. She was sentenced to three years in jail and was later released on bail. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, one of the couple's closest aides, said he talked with people in close contact with Mr Thaksin about rumours the couple would seek political asylum, but the truth has yet to be established. "Some denied the rumour, others confirmed it," Mr Surapong said. Arisman Pongruangrong, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, said Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman will definitely return to Thailand after the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games. They have booked seats on a flight from Beijing to Bangkok tomorrow, Mr Arisman said. "His return will go according to schedule. Mr Thaksin confirmed that he will come back to fight all the cases in Thailand. He has never thought of seeking asylum as has been rumoured," said Mr Arisman. A source at the Supreme Court said if the couple fail to turn up on Monday to report to a panel of judges handling the Ratchadaphisek land case, the judges may issue arrest warrants for them and may conduct the trial of the couple in absentia. "Actually, the defendants' testimonies have no bearing on the trial. The defendants have denied the allegations all along. It depends on the evidence," the source said. Meanwhile, Sakda Khongphet, a leader of the Isan Pattana faction of the People Power party (PPP), said he will give evidence showing misconduct by top people in the party to the National Counter Corruption Commission. The Isan Pattana group has exposed the rise of the so-called "gang of four" within the PPP, whom it has accused of trying to dominate the party and cashing in on state projects to prepare for the next election. The gang is believed to comprise Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, his secretary-general Theerapol Nopparampa, Dr Surapong and Newin Chidchob, a veteran MP who controls a large PPP faction of northeastern MPs. The Isan Pattana faction claims the gang of four, guided by Mr Newin, is planning to form a coalition government with the Democrats if the PPP is dissolved. "He [Mr Thaksin] told me that he has been aware of the movements of the gang of four and he said he felt hurt," Mr Sakda said. However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban denied any knowledge of the plan. A PPP source said Mr Thaksin sent his younger sister, Yingluck, to talk to Mr Newin and his group of MPs during a meeting of the party's northeastern MPs led by Mr Newin on Thursday. The group is called "Newin's friends". Maha Sarakham MP Suthin Klangsaeng, a member of the group, said Ms Yingluck explained that Mr Thaksin had nothing to do with the moves of the Isan Pattana group.

Apparently China would, if they don't come back. Somehow I think, again if they don't come back, a certain amount of money may have found its way into certain hands. That usually does the trick. Hell, if Thaksin offers enough he can even stay at my house . . .

Perhaps. Whatever the motives are, the weekend raids have become so frequent that now I might not even bother to post when a raid occurs in Sunee Plaza. It would only be news now if a week goes by and no raid occurs at all.

Maybe both, although I think it's more likely a big push to clean up the area. After all, Pattaya now has a new mayor and the escalation of raids seem to coincide with his taking office. Only a few years ago these kinds of raids were virtually unheard of in Sunee Plaza or anywhere else. Now it's an expectation. I don't see how anyone can go to Sunee Plaza anymore without the possibility of a raid being in mind. Also, if it's all some sort of attempt to close down gay venues, that would make little sense in that these raids are not even occurring in the Boyztown area at all. I tend to think it's more of a "if you're under-age and/or are in possession of drugs or are caught being a drug user, then you're in deep shit" type of thing. If that's what it's really all about, then I applaud the intent, although I definitely have reservations about the methods being used. It probably is scaring away customers, but I'm guessing that's a side effect of what's really going on. Collateral damage. Maybe the powers-that-be are finally sick and tired of under-age boys, pedophiles, and drug gangs haunting Sunee Plaza and are finally trying to do something about it. Frequent raids just might do the trick or at least dramatically reduce the number of offenders. So far, I've been fortunate enough not to have ever personally witnessed one of these raids. I was not in Sunee Plaza this evening. However, the venues operating legitimately do have my sympathy. These raids certainly can't be helping their businesses and they end up suffering through no fault of their own. There are still some things that bother me, though. For example, if bar owners are still being held responsible if any of their employees are caught in a pee test, then I think that's totally absurd and unfair. How can the bar owners be responsible for what their employees do when they're not working? That aspect of it holds a high place on my "I Don't Get It" list. If the police are arresting these boys, but then releasing them to go right back to Sunee Plaza, then all they're accomplishing is a revolving door. That too would be on my "I Don't Get It" list. It's a shame things have degenerated to this point, but many of us have been saying for a long time that something serious has to be done about the under-age boys, the pedophiles, and the drug problems in Sunee Plaza. The fact that something is now really being done is hardly cause for complaint, in my opinion. If anything, my complaint would be in the methods being used. I still think a few uniformed police officers, different ones each night to avoid bribery as best as possible, strolling though Sunee Plaza nightly would be effective enough to accomplish a clean-up. I wish they would give that a try in lieu of these raids. I hope these raids don't end up producing a "destroy the town in order to save the town" result. Maybe the offending venues need to get the message. There's a really weird thing they ought to try, something they haven't tried before, just for laughs . . . obeying the law.