Gaybutton

That's what I think too. Part of my post included, "once the prostitute becomes their boyfriend, they don't want other farang to touch them." Where's the part where we disagree?

Reds Defy Deadline, Rally Continues Published: 17/05/2010 Several thousand of protesters, including women and children, remained at the Ratchaprasong rally site on Monday evening, defying the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation's order that they leave by 3pm or face two-years imprisonment. There were still about 5,000 protesters at the Ratchaprasong rally site when the 3pm deadline passed, police spokesman Maj-Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said. Shortly after 2pm, military helicopters dropped leaflets on the encampment, urging the protesters to leave immediately. This angered the protesters, who shot homemade rockets at them. “Some protesters received distorted information,” government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on the Thai PBS television network. “We need to communicate with them clearly. It will take time.” There was no word on when the ultimatum extension would end. Reds defy deadline, rally continues

In the wake of the death of Seh Daeng, now there are fears of retaliatory attacks targeting primarily government officials. There are reports of heavy Red-Shirt reinforcements trying to make their way to Bangkok. If those reports turn out to be correct, then it would seem this madness is far from over. _____ Revenge Attacks Feared as ‘Seh Daeng’ Pronounced Dead

The Thai government has extended the deadline for the Red-Shirts to leave Bangkok. I did not see anything that said how long that extension will be.

It is being reported that at least 5000 Red-Shirts are still in Bangkok and refusing to leave. It is not yet known what will happen next.

AMERICAN TOWN HALL NOTICE Due to ongoing security and safety concerns, the Town Hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 18 at 2pm has been re-formatted into a virtual Town Hall meeting to be held on-line. This will allow for a greater number of American citizens residing in Thailand to participate in a discussion with the Ambassador, the Embassy Security Officer and our American Citizens Services Chief. We regret any inconvenience this may cause but believe this will be a more effective means of reaching the greatest number of people without putting them in harm

If you watch directly from YouTube, this person has uploaded over 30 videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxL8DS1de8 Here is one of them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxL8DS1de8

CRES has issued the latest ultimatum, that the Red-Shirts must disperse by 3:00pm today. At the moment it is about 1:40pm. CRES also said that women and children should leave and transportation will be provided for anyone who wants to go home. However, many of the women with children are refusing to leave, convinced their children will be safe. There are reports that Red-Shirts in other provinces, especially the north and northeast provinces, are threatening to retaliate is the Bangkok demonstrations are dispersed.

There could be any number of reasons. You never know. Sometimes the traffic backs up like that for no apparent reason. I would guess it's due to a combination of factors. The weather is bad today - rain and threatening rain. Often that alone results in backups. There could be an accident or possibly Red-Shirt problems. It could be that a lot of people from Bangkok want to get out of Bangkok for the time being and there are plenty of friends, relatives, and hotels in Pattaya. Again, Pattaya is almost entirely unaffected so far from the protests. There are gatherings at City Hall and directly across the street at the Pattaya Nua (North Road) Tesco-Lotus. There were some reports of Red-Shirt gatherings at Soi Day-Night, but I was right there last night and saw nothing. In other words, everything is normal in Pattaya and no problems have occurred here.

Jim Lumsden recommends JIM (no relation, of course). JIM International

Seh Daeng was not expected to survive, but now that he has been pronounced dead and now that the Red-Shirts have been informed, it remains to be seen what, if any, kind of retaliation will follow. __________ Seh Daeng Pronounced Dead at 9:20 am Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol, the controversial Army specialist, was pronounced dead at 9:20 am. The director of the Vajira Hospital, Chaiwan Charoenchokthawwee, announced his death at a press conference. Seh Daeng pronounced dead at 9:20 am

Maybe I missed something. All I see is that you disagree with me and that you wouldn't want your Thai boyfriend to sleep with a farang. Is that all you wanted to express?

As of Monday morning, May 17, all schools and government offices in Bangkok will be closed for at least two days. The Red-Shirt leaders are asking to negotiate, but the government is refusing. Thaksin is asking for UN intervention. Abhisit is saying this crisis is an internal affair, not within the purview of legitimate UN intervention. So far there has been no response from the UN. Meanwhile, the fighting in Bangkok continues, along with sporadic clashes in some of the provinces. ____________________ Bangkok Burning - Red shirts ask for talks to 'put end to deaths' - Govt crackdown to carry on, curfew plan on hold Published: 17/05/2010 Plans to announce a curfew have been put on hold, but all schools and government offices in Bangkok will be closed Monday as chaos continues to wrack the capital. The city was thrown into confusion on Sunday when the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation said it would impose a curfew in some areas of Bangkok, only to then retract the statement a few hours later when army chief Anupong Paojinda reportedly opposed the decision. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/37424/bangkok-burning

Ok, but I don't see where your opinion is expressed. I'm still not clear on what your opinion is. What is your opinion?

He didn't answer mine either, but that's just an old chestnut . . .

What makes you think I'm trying to speak for anyone other than myself? I wrote "I believe the real reasons most get them out . . ." That means I'm expressing my own personal opinion, not facts. I'm sorry, I thought that would have been quite clear. Apparently, it wasn't.

Blacklisted By THE NATION Published on May 17, 2010 In a bid to cut suspected financial supplies to the still-defiant red shirts, the government yesterday slapped a ban on financial transactions on over 100 people and business entities associated with fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. To the government, which seems to believe that the red-shirt movement cannot function without huge financial support, the measures - announced with-out much fanfare - is supposed to be a big blow to the protesters, who already face grave logistical pressures. The financial "blacklist" includes Thaksin, his immediate family members, his relatives, many banned politicians of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, business people close to the Shinawatras and several key leaders of the red-shirt movement. Blacklisted

Another "chestnut"? Nurse (taking care of Willy Clark after his heart attack): "I have a wonderful sense of humor!" Willy Clark: "If you nurse like your sense of humor, I won't make it to Thursday." - Walter Matthau, 'The Sunshine Boys'

Oh, come on mauRICE. I've seen enough posts from you to know that you are fully capable of debating an issue without put-downs. I hope we, and whoever else may want to join in, can debate this issue without put-downs or insults. I also think you know that GT often posts with tongue-in-cheek. Of course, it's usually an ass cheek, but what the hell . . .

CRES Cancels Plan to Impose Curfew in Bangkok The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation has cancelled its plan to impose curfew in Bangkok. The CRES reasoned that security forces could be still in control of the situation so it would not impose curfew to avoid further affecting the people's life. CRES cancels plan to impose curfew in Bangkok

GaySacGuy, did you take that photo yourself? I'm asking because if you were there, did you see any kind of military or police presence, or anyone trying to put out the fire? Another question - With your experience as a firefighter, I'm curious to know what you would say is the best way to put out this kind of fire.

Yes, you should do just that - because it is perfectly obvious that you really don't get it. I'll give you due credit for an ability to twist people's words around to suit your own point of view, though. Of course I call it prostitution. I have no reason to come up with a euphemism for it. The apparent major difference between you and me is that you see prostitution as something very negative. I see it as benign. You call it an "old chestnut" when someone like me comes along and points out that the Thai way of thinking is different from the western point of view regarding prostitution. Call it what you want, but the Thai point of view really is different from the western point of view. Now, while you're busy trying to tell us all about how horrible prostitution is, I suppose you would have us believe no part of your purpose for being in Thailand, whether past or present, ever had anything to do with partaking in Thailand's sex industry. You can claim that if you wish, but that would be about as believable as Rekers hiring the Rentboy.com guy solely for the purpose of carrying his luggage. Have you been in Thailand all this time rescuing these poor exploited boys from the terrible horrors of prostitution? Do I indulge because of selfish, non-altruistic reasons? Yes. So does just about every other farang, gay or straight, who comes to Thailand and makes use of prostitutes. Are we bad people because of it? And, by the way, I can carry my own luggage . . . I also think you know as well as I do that anyone working in the bars who doesn't wish to be there can just walk out the door any time he pleases. Ok, your serve.

I just read a report that a 7-Eleven on Rama IV has been looted, but so far nothing else has been reported.

CNN is reporting that Abhisit is going to impose a curfew, although it is not yet known what the extent of the curfew will be or the times. I would guess that the curfew, if it is imposed, will cover areas of Bangkok, but it is possible that a nationwide curfew could be imposed. The English language Thai media is reporting that a curfew is being considered, but at the time of this post nothing more than that has been reported. Of course, if a curfew is imposed, we'll try to let you know the details on this thread as soon as we have the information.

US Warns Citizens Traveling to Thailand, Evacuating Staffs The United States has warned its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand and began evacuating non-essential embassy staff and families due to unrest in the country. "US citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," a statement said. "The Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok," the statement added. US warns citizens travelling to Thailand, evacuating staffs ____________________ Chulalongkorn Hospital will be Closed from Monday The Chulalongkorn Hospital announced at 11 am Sunday that its medical services will be closed from Monday until further notice. Chulalongkorn Hospital will be closed from Monday