Gaybutton

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ No Takers for Tsunami Early Warning System By Achadtaya Chuenniran Phuket Not a single hotel in Phuket province has hooked up with the satellite-based signal receiving system because they do not trust its efficiency, and because of the cost - more than 400,000 baht, or about $13,000. Provincial authorities have met local hoteliers twice, urging them to install tsunami early warning system gear so they can get the early warning signal directly from the Nonthaburi-based National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC), which relays the warning via the satellite. So far, no hotel has installed the equipment. Phuket governor Niran Kalayanamit said hotel operators are probably convinced that they can depend solely on the tsunami warning towers built by the province. "They shouldn't think installing the satellite signal receiver was unnecessary." The province has 19 tsunami early-warning towers. Arun Kerdsom, Phuket's disaster prevention and mitigation chief, said hotel operators had complained about the high cost - 400,000-500,000 baht - to install the equipment, a figure disaster officials dispute. "At first, we hoped to see at least five hotels invest in the devices under a pilot project. But that did not happen. Not a single hotel in Phuket has shown any interest in hooking up so far. "Of the hotels in six southern provinces along the Andaman coastline, only one in Phangnga province has connected to the system," said Mr Arun. The province is trying to come up with other tsunami warning methods as well. It could provide pagers to communities to receive tsunami warning signals, he said. However, Smith Dharmasarojana, chairman of the National Disaster Warning Administration Committee, said every hotel in a tsunami-prone coastal area should install the satellite signal receiver. He said the receiver would be connected to the hotel's fire alarm system, which would ring the alarm as soon as it received a warning signal. "Hotel operators should not rely solely on the tsunami warning towers because guests will not hear the warning sound if they are in their hotel rooms. If the signal is sent through the fire alarm system, everybody will hear it," said Mr Smith. He said each device costs 200,000 baht, not 400,000-500,000 baht as the hoteliers claim. Krissada Tansakul, chairman of the Patong Hotels Operators Association in Phuket, admitted that none of the hotels, some 100 of them, along the famous Patong beach, had installed the equipment because they were not confident in the NDWC's early warning system. Hoteliers were still haunted by a false alarm activated by the centre in 2005, when thousands of tourists and villagers ran for their life after hearing the tsunami siren. "We will install the device only after the state disaster warning system is fully developed," said Mr Krissada. "The equipment is costly and we want to make sure that it is worth the investment." At the moment hotel operators in Phuket are relying on a "manual warning system", he said. "Our staff will activate the in-house emergency alarm as soon as they hear the warning sirens from the tsunami warning towers. All the guests will be safe from the tsunami this way," he said.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ New 230 Million Baht Underground Car Park to be Constructed at South Pattaya Temple We have received details of a new underground car park which is due to be constructed underneath the recreation ground of Pattaya School Number 8 on the corner of South Pattaya Road and Pratamnuk Road. This information has come direct from Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya who has already approved a budget of 230 Million Baht to construct the underground car park which will be able to accommodate over 600 cars and over 1,000 motorbikes. The construction is expected to be a three level car park and on ground level, a new sports ground will be constructed along with a school canteen and a school library. This will provide much needed car parking space for those who frequent the South Pattaya area, especially at night. Construction is due to start shortly.

Considering the fact that the very same poster has done this before on this board, and was caught, are you surprised? "You can fool all of the people some of the time and you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." - Abraham Lincoln

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I don't know what point you are trying to make without providing some sort of description as to what constitutes handsome or good looking in your eyes. For example, many people like muscles and lots of definition. For others, that's precisely what they don't like. Some people say a cute face is what they look for first, but what is cute to some is ugly to others. Some people like the "rough trade" type. Others like the more feminine type. It's all a matter of individual taste, isn't it?

Maybe if they had a Thai driver's license . . . . I wonder what they would have been charged if they were katoeys from Uzbekistan.

I was in the police station on an entirely different matter about a year and a half ago when a group of about twenty lady-boys working Beach road were brought in, fined 200 baht each, and then released. They were acting as if the whole thing was nothing but a big joke and they were almost having a party in the police station. As soon as they were released, they were right back out working Beach Road again. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: for photos click: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_28_03_50_4.htm _____ Police Round up Ladyboys Working on Pattaya Beach Responding to numerous complaints from Tourists regarding transsexuals on Pattaya Beach, a group of Police and Police volunteers rounded up 19 of them in the early hours of Wednesday Morning. These ladyboys will often engage in anti-social and criminal activities on the beach such as assault and robberies. Because this group were not seen committing a crime they could only be fined 200 Baht each at Pattaya Police Station before being released. Most of them were seen reassuming their positions on the beach as they search for potential foreign customers.

That's fine and you are entitled to your opinion. However, this thread is addressing an entirely different issue, that being what gay partners may or may not be legally entitled to as a result of a marriage in locations where it is legal.

It might be true if the "farang" lives in The Netherlands or Belgium. If not, then even if they went there to be married, how would such a thing be enforced a year or so later and how would the Thai boy file papers and go through whatever the proceedings are if they're not even in either of those countries? Also, I have neither heard stories about anything like that happening nor have I heard about any "farang" being asked to go to either of those countries to be married and take up residence there. Based on that, it sounds like just a rumor to me.

Enough of this nonsense. This thread is locked.

At the moment of posting, the US dollar to baht exchange rate is 34.88. The following appear in THE NATION: _____ BoT Will Not Revert to Fixed Rate System The Bank of Thailand (BoT) on Tuesday dismissed rumours that the central bank may switch from the current managed float system to the peg, or fixed rate system as used prior to the 1997 financial crisis. Rumours of possible revert to the exchange rate peg system weakened the baht Monday, but had stabilised at Bt35.05 on Tuesday, dealers said. Both Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussasangkarn and central bank governor Tarisa Watanagase have dismissed the possibility of a peg. - The Nation __________ And this, from TNA: _____ BoT Denies it Plans to Iissue More Measures to Stem Baht Speculation BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA)

Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. I'm not here to be your personal editor. And I'll be the one who decides what I do or do not like despite your assumptions as to why I moderate the way I do. Try asking why a post was removed instead of making assumptions, but do it by PM. I've already said that we're not going to have public arguments about it. It is everyone's responsibility to read and comply with the rules. I'll try to edit out what I can when it appears to be an honest mistake, and in the above case I think it was. I don't think you intentionally set out to violate someone's privacy, but it is the responsibility of everyone who posts to read and comply with the rules. If the post appears to be malicious, no matter who posts it, it will be wiped. I'm not picking on you about that. That applies to everyone. I suggest reviewing the posting rules and proofreading posts before hitting the submit button.

There are fine antique shops and other sources of imported furniture. It doesn't necessarily have to be hotel suite style if you shop around and have the money to pay for what you want.

Baht Weakens Against US dollar in Morning Trading Session BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) The baht has weakened further and hovered around 34.98-35 to the US dollar in Monday morning trading session in the same direction with other major world currencies but the greenback. Last week, the baht had appreciated sharply and hit a new nine-year high of 34.65 to the US dollar. A money analyst said the US dollar had appreciated against other global currencies including the baht since a figure on second-hand home sales in the United States released for February was higher than expected. At the same time, there were rumours in the local market that the Bank of Thailand planned to seek cooperation from commercial banks to oversee money trading transactions to ensure the baht is not too strong. The analyst projected the baht would not rise to hit a new high this week if it turned to strengthen again this week. (TNA)

I know that if you are moving to Thailand you are allowed to bring in belongings and the duty is waived. What I don't know is what kind of documentation is necessary, whether there is a limit to the amount you can bring, or whether there are limitations on the kinds of items that are exempt. Perhaps someone who has already done this can post about what his experience was.

Regarding appliances, Radio Shack sells voltage converters that are designed to handle large appliances. Four years ago, they were $80. I'd like to know more about the Siemens AG sale. Can you tell us when it is and where it is?

Actually, good gas grills are available in Thailand at reasonable prices. There's a shop on Tepprasit Road that sells excellent ones. While it is true that you are allowed to ship in belongings if you are moving here, the cost of shipping can be prohibitive and you are probably better off having a yard sale at home and replacing those items once you're in Thailand. In my case, I knew I was going to retire here years before I was able to finally retire. I brought items with me and began storing them here over several trips, thus avoiding shipping costs. As a matter of fact, I'm storing some boxes of items in my house even now for a couple of my friends, one of whom is within a year of being able to retire here. About three months before I retired, I loaded up a couple of boxes and mailed them to myself at my Thai address. These were items I wanted, but could live without if they arrived damaged or never made it at all. About a month after I retired the boxes did finally arrive, with no damage at all, and no tariffs were asked. If I had to do it over again, I would do the same thing. The kinds of items I shipped and/or brought with me were limited to personal items that I knew were irreplaceable and items that I could pack up and bring with me on my final trip over. I had done a lot of shopping in Thailand beforehand to see what could be found here and what could not. Nearly everything I wanted was readily available in Thailand, so for me I was quite satisfied limiting myself to personal items. To this very day I can't think of anything, other than the bread machine, that I wish I had brought with me. And now, I know I can get a bread machine right here in Thailand.

The whole thing reminds me of Ronald Reagan's logic when he said, "It is a tax reduction because we are reducing the amount of the increase."

I'm interested and I'll bet many others are interested too. My boyfriend has also been quite successful with his education, so I know how you feel. It also illustrates that despite the number of people who post about how all Thai boys are the same, prostitutes interested in nothing but money and milking "farang" for all they can get, that simply is not true and is not the case. It is just plain wrong to stereotype these boys. While many do fit right in to the negative category, there are also many who are genuinely interested in bettering themselves, making a meaningful life, and are willing to put in the work that it takes to achieve it. All they need is someone willing to help them do it. The difficulty is in finding the right boys. That's difficult to do when so many "farang" think with their crotch rather then their heads, but obviously the right boys are out there.

Thank you for that post, Manjai. I have a feeling you just dramatically increased their customer base. Can you tell us the best way to get there?

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ It's Hello Again to Old Don Muang Like old soldiers who refuse to die, the 93-year-old Don Muang Airport came back to life yesterday, welcoming passengers once again. The airport will be officially reopened today. After it was closed to commercial flights for six months, nine aircraft touched down at the old Bangkok International Airport to prepare for departures this morning. Despite its new name of Don Muang International, Airports of Thailand (AOT) will only use it for domestic flights for the time being. Orient Thai, Nok Air and some Thai Airways International domestic flights will use Don Muang from today. On September 27 last year passengers, airport staff and others tearfully waved goodbye to the old airport and headed for the then shiny and new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Sad and discouraged, Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said at the time: "Never ever return to Don Muang. I will keep every entrance sealed." Now that Don Muang has been revived and prepared to take about 20 per cent of flights into and out of Bangkok as a result of tarmac and other problems at Suvarnabhumi, Pinit, who retires this October, reportedly told Don Muang staff: "Don't ask how I feel. I just do what my bosses say." Although engineers discovered groundwater under Suvarnabhumi runways was responsible for cracking, forcing the closing of some areas, AOT remains unsure how to drain it and repair damage. Nantiya Tangwisutijit The Nation ____________________ And this: Reopening of Bangkok's Don Muang Airport BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) After a closure of nearly six months, passengers travelling within Thailand Saturday welcomed the reopening of former international airport Don Muang here with nine flights testing the airport by making a landing Saturday evening. Final touches have been made on the first floor which houses the passenger arrival lounge while workers are busy decorating the second floor where restaurants and souvenir shops will again occupy the area. One-Two-Go Airlines flying from the southern resort of Phuket will be the first budget commercial aircraft to touch Don Muang as it is scheduled to land at 6.10 pm followed by eight other flights operated by One-Two-Go and two other carriers, Orient Thai and Nok Air. Starting Sunday, Thai Airways International, the national carrier, will join the three airlines in operating incoming and outgoing domestic flights from Don Muang, closed since September 28 following the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok's neighbouring province of Samut Prakan. Transport authorities have said the reopening of Don Muang will help ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport as its taxiways and main terminal undergo repairs. There are over 100 cracks in the runways and taxiways at the new airport which is intended to be Southeast Asia's commercial aviation hub. The new Suvarnabhumi airport has been plagued by several problems and corruption allegations. (TNA)-E111 ____________________ And these, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Old Airport Gets a New Look By Kamolwat Praprutitum Airport administrators have left no stone unturned in their efforts to spruce up the facility. They have even put up an official sign declaring it "Don Mueang International Airport" - including the abrupt new "e". As most domestic flights gradually headed back to the old Don Muang airport yesterday, they were greeted with familiar sights - except the signboard announcing "Don Mueang." And the first question on the lips of almost everyone who passed through one of Asia's oldest airports was whether or not the "e" has been misplaced. The airport director Pinit Saraithong earlier admitted he put the "e" there after consulting the language authority, the Royal Institute, known in their own transliteration as the Ratcha Bandits, although it is pronounced "Ratchaband". The Institute and linguists assured him "Don Mueang" is closest to the correct Thai pronunciation of the district in which the airport is located and from which it has taken its name. He went on to explain that he now has at his disposal all the necessary documentation available in case he is asked to justify the new spelling. Which is precisely why the issue, perceived to be trivial by many, can go far beyond the question of phonological correctness. The concern is not so much how the lips should purse when uttering the word "Don Mueang." It has more to do with what is going on in the decision-makers' head. There is a potential danger in the tendency for people with power to shoot themselves in the foot by creating problems where there should be none. Don Muang versus Don Mueang is the case in point. The needless problem can be very distracting, especially when the path back to "Don Mueang" has already been strewn with brickbats from industry experts who are less than convinced the dual-airport policy will ever fulfil the country's ambition to become the region's aviation hub. Besides, Don Muang is probably the spelling style most people are inclined to follow. To "de-popularise" the spelling so commonly adopted does not make economic sense as making changes to accommodate the "e" costs money. And money is not something "Don Mueang" airport, now with only a fraction of the flight volume it used to enjoy to generate revenue, can afford to throw away these days. The classic problem with English spellings of many Thai words is the lack of enforcement of an official style to ensure consistency. It is downright mind-boggling to come across Onnuj on one street sign only to run into Onnuch or Onnut on other. A spelling enforcement notwithstanding, no efforts should be wasted fashioning the "e" in the word Don Muang when the airport management is expected to be swamped with hassles of reopening the old airport in the weeks if not months ahead. The fact of the matter is that "Don Mueang" administrators have plenty of hurdles, in terms of management, logistical and technical challenges, to cross. They clearly do not need more. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. _____ Minor Muddle over Transfers as Flights Return to Don Muang Airlines Told to Look after Airport Transfers By Amornrat Mahitthirook Several tourists on board a Phuket-Don Muang flight were forced to hail a taxi to Suvarnabhumi airport for connecting flights out of the country. They were unaware that the flight would land at Don Muang, not Suvarnabhumi airport. A French couple, interviewed by the Bangkok Post, said they were confused about the change. They were returning to France and had a plane to catch at 12.05am today. The couple finally took a taxi to Suvarnabhumi airport. However, passengers on later flights did not encounter such problems. Airport management told the airlines to provide transportation to passengers who had connecting flights at Suvarnabhumi. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said yesterday he had told AoT acting president Kulya Pakakrong to ask the airlines to attend to the problem. AoT Plc staff said it was the airline's responsibility to provide transport to customers. Bangkok Mass Transit Authority shuttle buses would be provided between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi, starting today. Some Thai passengers were not aware that domestic flights were moved back to the old airport. But Supan sae Tan, a businesswoman from Phuket, found it a nice surprise. ''I like it here. It is more convenient than Suvarnabhumi to get into town,'' she said. Don Muang airport served 1,760 passengers on its first day of reopening yesterday _ five One-Two-Go flights, with 860 passengers, and six Nok Air flights with 900 passengers. Don Muang and airline staff including airport director Pinit Saraithong were delighted to see passengers return. Don Muang took more than 700 flights and over 100,000 passengers a day before Sept 29 last year. The airport will now serve around 140 flights a day. ''We are glad to be back. We know every square inch of the airport,'' said Pensiri Kosathinnakorn, who works at the check-in counter for Nok Air.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Gay Philippine Police Told Not to Camp It Up Manila - Philippine police were on the defensive Friday after gay cops were warned they could be sacked for swinging their hips or engaging in flamboyant behaviour. "The Philippine national police does not have a policy that discriminates against gays and lesbians. In short, all its policies are issued for everybody regardless of sex or creed," police spokesman chief superintendent Samuel Pagdilao said. But he warned that "being a uniformed service, there are rules of conduct that apply to everybody for which violations may result in administrative charges for conduct unbecoming." Earlier in the week Pagdilao said gays in the police could be fired if they "sway their hips while marching" or "engage in lustful conduct." Danton Remoto, of Ang Ladlad, a gay and lesbian group, said the remarks "deepened the stereotype of gay men." "His remarks will only force gay policemen back into the closet," he said. Pagdilao told reporters he had never heard of any Philippine policeman being gay anyway. Agence France Presse __________ I'm picturing the following scene: Police Chief: Come in, Sergeant. Sit down. Sgt: Yes sir. Good morning. You wanted to see me? Police Chief: Yes, I did. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I'm afraid I have to terminate your employment. Sgt: What? I'm being fired? But why? I've been on the force for fifteen years and I have a flawless record. What have I done? Police Chief: Well, you were swinging your hips a little too much. Very sorry, but you have to go. Just leave your gun and your badge on my desk on your way out. And don't forget to let me know if I can be of any help in your future endeavors.

"May God bless and keep the Tsar . . . . . far away from us." - The Rabbi, 'Fiddler on the Roof' Actually, I have never heard of any kind of gay harassment at all in Laos. I think MissMarples' boyfriend is right: Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

I wish I understood more about the way economics work, but this move seems to me part of Thailand's bid to stem the strengthening of the baht and if it works, may even be the beginning of a reversal of the trend. I certainly would have no objection if the exchange rate finally starts moving in our favor again. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOT Urges Dealers to Buy Dollars Baht Weakens Amid Volatile Trading The central bank urged dealers at banks to "adjust" their foreign-exchange positions, resulting in banks buying up US dollars and causing the baht to weaken against the greenback in afternoon trade yesterday, falling to 35.05 against the greenback from Thursday's close of 34.63/34.67. A financial source said the volatility was caused by urgent letters circulated by the Thai Bankers' Association (TBA) calling on banks to "adjust the position" of their foreign-exchange portfolios, which was seen as a requirement from the central bank. This spurred banks' demand for dollars amid strong dollar sales from exporters. But the information was quite confusing and resulted in volatile trading, the financial source said. The baht bounced between 34.70 and 35.05 to the dollar before closing at 34.96/35.03. Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Tarisa Watanagase said she met with TBA chairman Apisak Tantivorawong to discuss the baht but added that she did not know why there was demand from banks to buy dollars yesterday. Tarisa said several rumours were circulating. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said he was worried about the baht's recent appreciation against the dollar and that his government was planning to take measures to help exporters. The dollar hit a fresh nine-and-a-half-year high of 34.65 against the US currency early yesterday, as exporters sold dollars on fears the baht would strengthen more. "The Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance are closely monitoring the situation ... we are looking to introduce measures to ease the impact on exporters," Surayud told reporters after meeting with ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras and Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn. Surayud did not say what those measures could be. Kosit said he would meet with the Federation of Thai Industries next week to discuss the impact of a firmer baht on export competitiveness and how the government could help exporters cope with the situation. Chalongphob said the baht could weaken again if the market considered it had strengthened to a point that was above its fundamental level. Board of Trade chairman Pramon Sutivong said a cut to the BOT's policy interest rate would help rein in the appreciation of the baht, helping it move in line with regional currencies. The lower rates would also boost investors' confidence and bring back investment. He declined to comment on the size of the rate cut required, saying that was up to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Market players are divided on how large a rate cut is necessary. Some propose that the MPC make a sharp cut of 1 per cent at its next meeting, which would have a major impact, while others recommend two 50-basis-point cuts over the next two meetings. JP Morgan, which on Thursday upgraded the Thai stock market from "neutral" to "overweight", yesterday projected the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Composite Index would rise to 770 points this year. Adrian Mowat, the investment bank's chief strategist for Asian and emerging markets, forecast that earnings per share would rise from 4.3 per cent this year, the lowest of all emerging markets, to 11-12 per cent next year. "Currently, the price-to-earning (P/E) ratio is 9.6. At 770, the P/E ratio will be 10.5. The market is cheap. The valuation is very inexpensive. We look ahead over 12 months and want investors to think differently about what's going on now in the Thai market," Mowat said. However, despite an upgrade by the US-based investment bank, the market did not rise as much as many expected yesterday. The SET closed at 677.79, climbing 0.44 per cent from Thursday in thin trade. Just Bt8.45 billion worth of shares changed hands. Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Korn Chatikavanij said cutting interest rates would not help domestic consumption. "Cutting the rate is not enough. The government must implement measures to help people. The government must create jobs and confidence through its budget," Korn said. Anoma Srisukkasem Piyarat Setthasiriphaiboon The Nation Dow Jones Newswires

That's right. You can't write personal information about anybody. Neither can anyone else. If someone wants his personal information posted, he can do it himself. He doesn't need you to do it for him. I'll try to make it clear . . . we are not going to have anyone having to worry that any of their personal information is suddenly going to appear on this message board, posted by someone else.

There is still some hope. Yesterday the baht closed at 34.56 to the US dollar. Just a few minutes ago it was at 34.76. Immediately prior to posting this I checked again and now it is at 34.80. Let's hope it's the beginning of a reversal, but it's obviously too soon to count on that.