Gaybutton

I post many restaurant recommendations. This time I'm asking for one. I'd like to know some of your opinions as to where to get the best fish and chips in Pattaya.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Police Tracked Canadian from Pattaya to Korat Published on October 21, 2007 It took just eight days from the time wanted Canadian and alleged paedophile Christopher Paul Neil entered the country to his being detained by police. He was found hiding at a Nakhon Ratchasima address with a Thai friend. France-based Interpol seized more than 200 pictures posted online of the suspect sexually abusing boys in Asia, including in Cambodia and Vietnam. His face had been digitally blurred using a swirl. Experts in Germany reconstructed images of his face and released them in a worldwide appeal earlier this month. A massive public response resulted in the identification of Neil, aged 32. He entered Thailand on October 11 from South Korea. The manhunt in this country began. Police here mobilized their immigration, tourist and children, youth and women divisions. Tourist police gathered information from the street, visiting night entertainment venues in Pattaya. There they learned Neil lived with a 20-year-old transvestite called Oam, and that the pair had traveled to Oam's hometown in Chaiyaphum. When police showed up, they found the couple had departed. Using telephone records for Oam's mobile phone, police tracked the two to Nakhon Ratchasima, where Oam has relatives. They were found in a rented house in Tambon Long Lawiang of Muang Nakhon Ratchasima. Police arrested Neil on Friday. He has been charged with molesting children, illegal detention and other offenses. Oam told police he had no idea Neil was wanted by Interpol and was shocked to discover this, so they fled. He said he dated Neil for two years after they met at a Pattaya night entertainment venue. They lived together in Pattaya and occasionally visited Chaiyaphum, he told police. Although Neil refuses to answer police questions, their investigation has discovered he taught English in Thailand. He taught in Hong Kong and Vietnam, too, as well as South Korea, but continued to visit this country regularly. Police alleged Neil's sexual behavior was deviant and he liked to detain victims, mostly Asian boys. He often had sex with between six and seven boys at one time. He has reportedly abused young girls, too. His sex acts were recorded and later posted on the Internet, leading to Interpol's interest and his eventual arrest. In Thailand, one boy, now believed to be aged 14, accused Neil of raping him in October of 2003, when he was nine. Neil allegedly lured the boy to his Din Daeng apartment to play computer games before detaining and molesting him. The boy came forward to police this week. Police have determined from Neil's recordings that two other boys were allegedly molested on this occasion, but have yet to find them. The father of the victim who approached police filed a complaint after finding the pictures of his son being molested on an Internet website. He was shocked because his son has never mentioned the incident. He now knows his son was playing computer games at a neighborhood shop when a local man approached him, inviting him to play at Neil's residence. The boy accepted but found himself locked up with a foreigner, whom he later knew as Christopher. The foreigner allegedly touched the boy's genitals and forced the boy to pose for a camera, before letting him go, the father said. Police children, youth and women's division commander, Colonel Worawat Amornwiwat, said the problem of foreigners sexually abusing children was a huge issue. Police preventive measures include the exchange of criminal records between Interpol, immigration and tourist police in various countries. Immigration and local police are privy to these files and are on the lookout for offenders. Where suspects commit crimes, or are wanted by other countries, police will arrest them. However, Worawat said, preventing children being molested was difficult because, in most cases child sex workers were the subjects and often agreed to the liaison. Worawat said boys selling sex were often poor and some "wandering the streets" were as young as 11. He said the law prohibiting sex with a person aged 13 and younger could be used in the case involving the known victim and Neil. It is an offense that carries jail terms ranging from seven years to life and a fine as high as Bt40,000, Worawat said. Sex with older children is prohibited, too. Kornwipa Khongdechsakda The Nation

That's the part that bothers me. We certainly hear plenty about gay pedophile arrests. Why do we hardly ever hear about anything more than a slap on the wrist for the bars owners that provide under-age boys in the first place? I don't understand that part. People consistently post about how Pattaya, especially Sunee Plaza, is a "haven" for pedophiles. My version of logic tells me that if the powers-that-be would also crack down on the venues that provide under-age boys for the pedophiles, then that would be the end of a significant part of the pedophile problem. The police are holding bars responsible for the behavior of boys using drugs, even during non-working hours. They have been closing bars at which boys on drugs are found. I still don't understand how the bars can be expected to be responsible for what employees are doing during non-working hours, but if the police can hold the bars responsible for that, then why can't they hold the bars responsible for something they can control, the age of their employees? It's one more item on my "I don't get it" list.

In this week's PATTAYA MAIL, the Dining Out & Entertainment section has an article about the Elephant Bar ( see http://www.pattayamail.com/current/dining.shtml ). Today a friend and I tried it for lunch and we thought it was every bit as good as the Pattaya Mail article describes. The service was prompt and polite, without being overbearing at all. The food came quickly and arrived piping hot and cooked perfectly. We were even served at the same time. My friend tried the sweet and sour pork. I tried the Steak & Kidney pudding (I love British food!). Both of us really enjoyed it and the Pattaya Mail article wasn't kidding about the large portions and the excellent quality of the food. What an extensive menu! There are plenty of western and Thai selections. There is even a whole menu area devoted to Russian selections. It takes a good deal of time to read it all. It will take a good fifteen minutes or so just to browse through it. Getting there is quite easy, as the attached business card shows. Pratamnak Soi 4 is the same soi that leads to the well known Cabbages & Condoms restaurant. As a matter of fact, the Elephant Bar is right next to the Cabbages & Condoms entrance. That's also the same soi on which you'll find Liam's Gallery. Hire a baht bus or take a motorcycle taxi if you don't have your own transportation. I think you'll agree it was well worth it. There were even several interesting boys walking by outside. The restaurant is completely open air, so if you must have air conditioning, then that's the wrong restaurant, but there were plenty of ceiling fans and even during the heat at midday we were quite comfortable. On Wednesday evenings they have an all-you-can-eat barbeque sparerib special for 179 baht per person. On Saturdays they have a suckling pig special, also all-you-can-eat for 199 baht. I'll let the Pattaya Mail article tell the rest. Both my friend and I agree with every word of it and I know we'll both be back many times.

More details about Neil's arrest and activities are now being published. Perhaps, if nothing else, it will drive home the point I and so many others have been making for years: Don't engage in sexual activities in Thailand unless it is with someone at least 18 years old. If there is a silver lining on the cloud, maybe it will be in that other pedophiles will think twice before coming to Thailand. The following two stories appear in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Bingo! We've got him! (bangkokpost.com, dpa) The Canadian target of a vigorous international manhunt as "a serious threat to society," sat calmly in dark sunglasses when he was taken to a press conference police arrested him Friday. He was detained earlier on Friday in Nakhon Ratchasima after police received a tip-off, authorities said. "Bingo! We've got him," said Pol Maj Gen Wimol Powintara to The Associated Press news agency. Thailand's deputy national police chief told more than 100 reporters that Christopher Paul Neil, 32, appeared to be "a serious threat to society" who is suspected of having abused scores, possibly hundreds, of boys - some younger than 10 - and girls. General Wongkot Maneerin said that it was likely that Neil, a wandering English teacher, would be tried in Thailand for abusing boys during his time as an English teacher in Bangkok in 2003. These crimes carry a penalty of 20 years in jail in Thailand. German police investigators triggered an international furore when they managed to "uncoil" his digitally altered internet photographs that showed him abusing many young boys in Cambodia and Vietnam. Neil had hidden his face by lifting his T-shirt after being escorted into Bangkok police headquarters past a scrum of reporters, many from overseas. Later as he was presented to the press he appeared calm, with no expression. General Wongkot himself questioned the suspect - a sign of the international interest in a case that galvanised police in a dozen countries. "His behaviour was not normal. His sexual behaviour seems to have been extraordinary," the deputy police chief said. "We are lucky that we have stopped him now. We have many of his victims coming forward to give evidence against him," he added. The Thai police issued an arrest warrant Thursday after a Thai boy came forward to accuse the Canadian of paying for oral sex. Neil was finally arrested Friday morning in Nakorn Ratchasima (widely known as Korat), northeast of Bangkok, after fleeing South Korea a week earlier, following the release of his picture by Interpol with a "red alert," its highest search signal. Police said he was tracked down after a tip-off. Canada also has laws allowing it to punish paedophiles for their activities in third countries. Former colleagues have regaled reporters with evidence of an "unassuming character" who was a "diligent teacher." But writings attributed to him on the Facebook social-networking website and elsewhere show evidence of an arrogant character who offered advice about cleaning a computer of "dangerous" photographs and how to avoid character checks when applying for teaching jobs. Neil fled Korea after wiping hundreds of postings he had made on an English teachers' discussion group and shaving his hair off. At least two young Thais said Neil abused them and paid them money after luring them to an apartment he used to rent in Bangkok several years ago, according to the Thai police. The German police started investigating his activities when they discovered three years ago that his swirl-disguised picture was common to scores of Internet images of his paedophile activities in Asia. His family in Canada had urged him to give himself up. _____ and this: _____ How to Catch a Paedophile Suspect Most-wanted Canadian Christopher Neil is behind bars after police traced a phone call, and questioned his transvestite friend. It was like finding a needle in a haystack. But the story behind the apprehension of Canadian pedophile suspect Christopher Neil is almost as strange as the pictures and the actions he's alleged to have taken to get into this trouble in the first place. It involved a race to get to his hideout - and the assistance of a transvestite friend. Thai police laid out the bare bones of his capture, which has attracted worldwide attention. It began when they decided to keep tabs on the people who knew Neil during his previous trips to the country. On Thursday night, that strategy paid off. Police were able to trace a call from a 25-year-old Thai transvestite, accused of arranging some of Neil's alleged sexual liaisons with young boys. When they confronted the katoey, he admitted he knew where Neil was, and led them to a rented home in Nakhon Ratchasima province, where the Canadian was hiding out. Five officers walked up to the residence and knocked. Neil opened the door and was immediately asked for proof of his identity. Neil acknowledged his name but refused to talk about anything else, demanding to see a lawyer. The 130-long kilometre trip back to Bangkok, where he appeared in court Friday morning, may have seemed a long one for the suspect. But it's nothing compared to the journey that lies ahead. That will likely include a trial in the country and another in Canada, where he may be extradited to face justice back home. (Agencies) __________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Suspect Arrested in Korat Canadian Tracked Down by Police Through His Thai Partner's Mobile Phone Records Published on October 20, 2007 Just 12 hours after obtaining an arrest warrant, police yesterday arrested much-wanted Canadian paedophile suspect Christopher Paul Neil at a house in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Neil did not resist arrest. Asked by arresting officers about his identity, he simply said "Yes". Police said later Neil had not given any other information apart from saying "I knew this day would come" and "I need a lawyer", before being driven to Bangkok and shown to the media at the Royal Thai Police compound in the afternoon. Officers said they were looking for two other Thai men whose pictures were found on Neil's computer. They suspect the pair may have been molested by the suspect when they were underage boys. Neil, 32, has been charged with child molestation, restraint of a person's freedom, and depriving a child of parental care. Deputy police chief General Wongkot Maneerin alleged that Neil had orgies with up to seven boys at a time on many occasions and sometimes had sex with girls. The nationalities of the boys included Vietnamese, Laotian, Burmese, Cambodian and Thai. Wongkot called on other victims to come forward. He said police would get Neil to undergo a blood test for Aids, although that would depend on his cooperation. He said the 18-year-old Thai man who came forward to the police as the first local sex victim of Neil, was actually only 14. Neil was accused of first violating the boy on October 14, 2003, at his apartment in Bangkok's Din Daeng area when the boy was nine years old. Neil is now in custody at the Children, Juveniles and Women Division, without a lawyer representing him as of yet. The initial authority to detain him lasts 48 hours and he is expected to be taken to the Criminal Court - possibly today - for consideration about further detention. Pol Lt-Colonel Phatthana Nutchanart, of the Tourist Police, revealed that officers had tracked Neil initially from "street information" gained in the Pattaya area in Chon Buri, where they learnt that Neil had dated a transvestite called "Oam" for two years before he last departed Thailand for South Korea. After learning the transvestite's home province was Chaiyaphum, a police team went there but found no trace of them. Police later obtained Oam's mobile phone number and call records and found he had called a relative in Nakhon Ratchasima - where Neil and Oam were found yesterday. The world-wide search for Neil began just 10 days ago with a ground-breaking appeal from Interpol for public help to track down a man seen in 200 photos posted on the Internet. The photos appeared to show him abusing a dozen young boys. The man's face had been digitally swirled, but German computer experts reconstructed the images, which Interpol then posted on its website along with its call for assistance. The operation was code-named "Vico" because the images were believed to have been taken in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2002 or 2003. More than 300 people replied to Interpol's call, with five people on three continents offering critical information, the agency said in a statement on its website. "The fact that we went to the public was the breakthrough," Interpol detective Mick Moran told AFP. "We are absolutely delighted this guy has been arrested." Neil was found in a one-storey rented house in Nakhon Ratchasima, around 300 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, where he was with the Thai transvestite, police said. There were conflicting reports about Oam's age, that he was 25 or 20. Police gave no details about Neil's relationship with his companion. General Wongkot said Neil could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted over accusations he abused a nine-year-old boy in Bangkok four years ago. If any other countries want to prosecute him, he could be extradited after serving any prison time received in Thailand, if found guilty here, Wongkut said. Neil had been teaching English at a school in Seoul, where South Korean police are also investigating his activities. He flew to Bangkok on October 11, when security cameras documented his arrival at the airport. Neil has visited Thailand six times since 2000. In 2003 he tried and failed to get a job teaching at an international school in Bangkok, according to Thai officials. Interpol says Neil is from suburban Vancouver, where Canadian media reported that his mother and a sibling still live. Neil once studied at a seminary, hoping to become a priest, but was eventually shunned by his teachers, who felt he lacked the moral backbone for the task, according to reports. An official at the Bangkok school where Neil tried to get a teaching job described him as an introvert, who was not hired because he had difficulty cooperating with school officials and other teachers. The school said no complaints were filed regarding any abusive behaviour. The Nation, AFP

In a thread below I wrote that I thought Christopher Paul Neil would never have shown up in the Sunee Plaza area, but it turns out I was dead wrong. Maybe he didn't know at the time that he was being hunted, but my guess is that he probably did. I wish he never came to Pattaya and to the Sunee Plaza area. It has a negative enough reputation already. His presence won't exactly help. The PATTAYA CITY NEWS article has photos, including CCTV photos of him entering a Soi VC hotel. I don't recognize the hotel from the photos. If any of you do, I hope nobody will post the name of the hotel. At the time, they certainly had no way of knowing who he was, so I don't see any reason to malign the hotel. The article and photos can be found at: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_19_10_50.htm The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Exclusive – Canadian Pedophile Began his Thailand Trip Here in Pattaya. As reported in the National and International Press, the Canadian National wanted on charges of pedophilia has now been caught. Mr. Christopher Paul Neil aged 32 was arrested in Nakorn Rachasima Province in the North-East of Thailand, some 200 kms from Bangkok. Interpol, who has been tracking the man from South Korea, where he worked as an English Teacher, informed the Thai Police that he had come to Thailand on 11th October. We can exclusively reveal that his first stop on his trip to Thailand was here in Pattaya. We obtained CCTV pictures from a Hotel in Soi VC in South Pattaya which clearly show Mr. Neil checking in on 11th October with a Thai Friend who is believed to have previously organized liaisons with underage boys and girls, during his first trip to Thailand in 2002. He checked out of the hotel on 13th October as planned and then made his way to the North-East which is where he was eventually caught on Friday. __________ The PATTAYA DAILY NEWS also has a story: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000004055

If you are someone who likes to "eat street," then over the next several days, during the Vegetarian Festival, I strongly urge you to read the following story that appears in the PATTAYA MAIL: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd4

It's sad, I think, that the first place they look for a pedophile is Sunee Plaza. Now that you mention it, that very well may be what was taking place. I would tend to think that Sunee Plaza is the last place a hunted pedophile, assuming he knows he's being hunted, would show up. I doubt he'll be found in Pattaya at all. Somehow I doubt that sex is foremost on his mind at the moment. He's probably trying to hide. My guess is that he'll be caught either mixing in with large city crowds, disguised, or he'll be found out in the rural boondocks somewhere, a place where he has a chance to find accommodation, but won't have to produce a passport. I'm also guessing that it's likely he's probably trying to find a way out of Thailand and into Laos or Cambodia somehow via an illegal border crossing. Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for him. We'll see.

Their web site is: http://unicograndesilom.com

I believe what you are saying, but I'm having a problem figuring out their logic. Of course, figuring out Thai logic at all is usually an enormous task, but I wonder who they think is going to see them in the coffee shop. You can't see into the coffee shop at all from the street unless you are seated in the outdoor section, and even then someone would have to struggle to see who is seated in the outdoor section. Whoever they fear might see them would have to be someone else also entering the Malaysia Hotel's property. Am i wrong?

This information is second-hand. I was not in Sunee Plaza last night, but when I heard about this I contacted a friend who was there and my information is coming from him: Last night all the Sunee Plaza go-go bars closed down, except for two of them. The reason, I am told, is because a tip-off came in about another raid about to occur. From what I understand, when the bars were tipped-off they quickly closed because the last time there was a raid the police drug tested all the boys. Any boys who tested positive caused the bar in which they worked to be forcibly closed down. For reasons that go beyond me, apparently the powers-that-be are holding the bars responsible for the behavior of the boys even during non-working hours. I don't know how the bars can be expected to control whether the boys use drugs when they're not working, but welcome to Thailand. It is also my understanding that the bars will be open again tonight as usual.

You've come up with an excellent point that is not often addressed and it does often cause problems and awkwardness. It is quite common for people to go to a bar, end up taking a boy "off," and now the boy thinks he has a permanent boyfriend. Typically, when you return to the bar, the boy thinks you came back just for him and he immediately plants himself next to you, expecting to be taken "off" again. This can often happen elsewhere too. The beach is a good example. Often, "farang" end up stuck with a boy he only wanted once or twice, but now it's difficult to get out of it gracefully. I'm sure others will have their own suggestions, but my way is to prevent the problem before it happens. I might call a boy over to sit with me, let him know I'm interested in taking him "off," and also make sure to do something such as point out a couple of other boys and say, "I like them too. Next time I will "off" one of them." That usually does the trick. If it's already too late for that method, then it can be a tougher problem. Most of the time these boys are well aware that the "farang" is a "butterfly" and they don't come over to sit with you uninvited, but sometimes they don't realize that and they become a pest. In that situation, I would simply tell the boy that I like him, but I want to try other boys too. You have to tell him sorry, maybe next time and send him away. Usually, when a boy plants himself next to you, a waiter or mama-san is there an instant later trying to get you to buy a drink for him. I would say something such as, "Not yet. I want to look at other boys first," and then send him back.

I believe you will find the information you seek at the following URL: http://www.utopia-asia.com/acccm.htm#cr Let the page fully load. The top part of the page deals with Chiang Mai, but if you wait for the page to completely load from the above URL it will place you on the Chiang Rai information area.

I don't know if he is there and I don't know his name. I don't recognize him. It's been months since I ate there, but once you are in Pattaya it should be simple for you to find out. The Boat Bakery is on Second road, almost directly across the street from Soi 3, the entrance soi to The Ambiance and Le Café Royale. You can't miss it. Since you have a photo of him, take it with you when you go. If he is not there when you try, ask people who work there. He might work a different shift. If he left, someone might know where to find him or might even have his name and telephone number. Good luck. Let us know if you find him. I hope the story has a happy ending for you.

Children are used in movies, television, commercials, magazine ads, clothing models, etc. I don't see many people getting upset over those things. When I was a kid there were newspaper routes and school safety patrols. When I was 7 I had a lemonade stand. I had hopes for General Foods buying me out, but the deal fell through at the last minute. Oh well . . .

This one definitely makes it onto the list of the top 20 most moronic crimes I've ever heard of. It's almost too stupid to be believable, but there it is. See http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000004009 for photos. _____ The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ FOREIGNER STABS CAR SALESMAN AND STEALS BMW A German university student, armed with a knife, allegedly, attacked a car salesman and stole the car that he was test driving. He threw the staff member out of the car and drove off in the stolen BMW. He tried to sell the car, but ended up getting caught. On 10 October 2007, at 11 AM, Banglamung Superintendent Police Colonel Sarayut Sa-gnuen-bpokai was notified by Mr.Suthee Phongsomboon (30), a staff member at Pattaya Car Center, located at 211/5 Moo 6, Nongprue, that a foreign man attacked him with a knife and stole a blue BMW 323I, license 2654, Bangkok. The incident occurred in front of the Thai Military Bank, Naklua Branch. Police rushed to the scene and met with Mr. Suthee, who was quite frightened and shaken up. He had numerous stab wounds on his body. His left hand palm was cut, as well. Police sent him to Banglamung Hospital for treatment of his wounds. Mr. Suthee reported that the thief was a foreign man who pretended to be interested in buying the blue BMW 323I, license 2564, Bangkok. They had agreed on the price of 890,000 baht. The man asked for a test drive. Mr. Suthee sat in the passenger seat. The thief pretended that he needed to change his Euro currency into baht at the Thai Military Bank, Naklua Branch. He went out and pretended to talk to the bank staff. When he came back, he told Mr. Suthee that the bank didn’t have enough money and he had to come back in one hour. The robber suggested that they have something to eat at Royal Garden Plaza, South Pattaya and then come back to the Thai Military Bank when they were finished. However, in front of the bank, the thug pulled out a knife and tried to slash Mr. Suthee’s neck. Mr. Suthee moved out of the way and grabbed the knife, but still sustained several cuts. Mr. Suthee tried to open the car door. The robber pushed him out of the car and drove off. Later that day, at about 4 PM, the perpetrator tried to sell the car to Mr. Pheerasut Homchuen, the proprietor of Rod Dee Mue Song used car shop, in North Pattaya, opposite Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Mr. Pheerasut was suspicious of the man and called Mr. Suthee from the original car shop, discovering that the car was stolen. Mr. Pheerasut tried to stall for time, but the robber was alert that something was amiss and jumped on a baht bus before Mr. Suthee arrived. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suphachai Pui-gaew-kam, from the Crime Suppression Center, tracked the robber to D&K Apartment, 678/15 Moo 5, Naklua, Banglamung, Room B2; and was able to find and arrest him. After more investigation, the police determined that the alleged perpetrator was Mr. Robert Bertram Gerhard Demel (31), a third year university student in Giessen, Germany. Mr. Demel denied the charges and claimed that he had paid for the car. He refused to say anything else. Police detained Mr. Demel and took him to Banglamung Police Station for further interrogation.

Gore, U.N. body win Nobel Peace Prize By DOUG MELLGREN, Associated Press Writer Former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for their efforts to spread awareness of man-made climate change and lay the foundations for counteracting it. "I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize," Gore said. "We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity." Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth," a documentary on global warming, won an Academy Award this year and he had been widely expected to win the prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said global warming, "may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world's most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states." Gore said he would donate his share of the $1.5 million that accompanies the prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan nonprofit organization devoted to conveying the urgency of solving the climate crisis. "His strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change," the Nobel citation said. "He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted." Gore supporters have been raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for petition drives and advertising in an effort to lure him into the Democratic presidential primaries. One group, Draftgore.com, ran a full-page open letter to Gore in Wednesday's New York Times, imploring him to get into the race. Gore, 59, has been coy, saying repeatedly he's not running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, without ever closing that door completely. He was the Democratic nominee in 2000 and won the general election popular vote. However, Gore lost the electoral vote to George W. Bush after a legal challenge to the Florida result that was decided by the Supreme Court. Peace Prize committee chairman Ole Danbolt Mjoes said a possible Gore presidential run was not his concern. "I want this prize to have everyone ... every human being, asking what they should do," Mjoes said. "What he (Gore) decides to do from here is his personal decision." However, when asked about the 2008 U.S. elections, he said: "I am very much in support for all who support changes." The last American to win the prize or share it was former President Carter in 2002. The Nobel committee cited the Panel on Climate Change for two decades of scientific reports that have "created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming." Members of the panel, a network of 2,000 scientists, were surprised that it was chosen to share the honor with Gore, a spokeswoman said. "We would have been happy even if he had received it alone because it is a recognition of the importance of this issue," spokeswoman Carola Traverso Saibante said. The panel forecast this year that all regions of the world will be affected by climate warming and that a third of the Earth's species will vanish if global temperatures continue to rise until they are 3.6 degrees above the average temperature in the 1980s and '90s. "Decisive action in the next decade can still avoid some of the most catastrophic scenarios the IPCC has forecast," said Yvo de Boer, the U.N.'s top climate official. He urged consensus among the United States and other countries on attacking the problem. Climate change has moved high on the international agenda this year. The U.N. climate panel has been releasing reports, talks on a replacement for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate are set to resume and on Europe's northern fringe, where the awards committee works, there is growing concern about the melting Arctic. Jan Egeland, a Norwegian peace mediator and former U.N. undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, also called climate change more than an environmental issue. "It is a question of war and peace," said Egeland, now director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs in Oslo. "We're already seeing the first climate wars, in the Sahel belt of Africa." He said nomads and herders are in conflict with farmers because the changing climate has brought drought and a shortage of fertile lands. The committee often uses the coveted prize to cast the global spotlight on a relatively little-known person or cause. Since Gore already has a high profile some had doubted that the committee would bestow the prize on him "because he does not need it." Gore's climate change effort has had its share of criticism. A British judge said in a ruling published Wednesday that some assertions in his documentary were not supported by scientific evidence. The case involved a challenge from a school official who did not want the film shown to students. The ruling detailed High Court Judge Michael Burton's decision this month to allow screenings of the film in English secondary schools. The judge said that written guidance to teachers, designed to ensure Gore's views are not presented uncritically, must accompany the screenings. In recent years, the Nobel committee has broadened the interpretation of peacemaking and disarmament efforts outlined by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel in creating the prize with his 1895 will. The prize now often also recognizes human rights, democracy, elimination of poverty, sharing resources and the environment. Two of the past three prizes have been untraditional, with the 2004 award to Kenya environmentalist Wangari Maathai and last year's award to Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank, which makes to micro-loans to the country's poor. The prize also includes a gold medal and a diploma. The prize for economics will be announced Monday.

The Pattaya International Magic Festival will take place from October 17 to 21 at the Big-C on Second Road, from 11:00 Am to 9:00 PM. Admission is free. There will also be magic shows taking place at the Alankarn theater. Admission at the Alankarn isn't free. Click the links below for details, times, and prices. http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd14 http://www.pattayamagicfestival2007.com

Can you be specific about which Big-C, in which city, you are talking about?

No, actually I do not jest at all. I don't dispute a word of what you say, but I can only tell you I have never experienced anything of the sort and I don't know anyone who has.

There is a very nice video of the 2006 Gay Pride parade in Bangkok on YouTube. It's 9 and a half minutes long. The URL for it is:

That's what I meant when I wrote, "In Pattaya, certainly the beach is a prime cruising spot." I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. It can be good in the day. There are usually a few non-money boys around, although not very many and usually much older than the usual money boy, but I also include money boys when trying to locate good cruising areas. Night used to be very good at Jomtien as well. Unfortunately, crime has pretty much finished off that area as a nighttime cruising area.

If your friends are living in Bangkok, then they probably don't have to worry about a hotel at all. I would presume they are living in a condo or house. Wherever they're living, it probably isn't a hotel. Where does the type of hotel at which someone is staying fit into your argument?

Perhaps so, but I'd like to see responses a little more specific than that.

The subject of cruising spots hasn't been discussed here for some time. In Pattaya, certainly the beach is a prime cruising spot, along with the Sansuk Sauna, Walking Street, Beach Road (especially if you are looking for lady boys), and the Beach Road entrance to Royal Garden. In Bangkok, the places I know include the Babylon Sauna, the Robinson's Department Store entrances at Silom, just outside of the Malaysia Hotel, and Saranrom Park ( see: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom and http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom ). I am wondering if anyone knows of other cruising spots in Thailand that are usually good.