Gaybutton

I knew the Duke of Windsor. I worked with the Duke of Windsor. The Duke of Windsor was my friend. Senator, you're no Duke of Windsor. Oh well, that's the best I can do . . . Another thing that might be helpful, especially if you want to look decent. Find out where I buy my clothes. Then go elsewhere . . .

A group of about 300 Red-Shirts have blocked the entrance to the Laem Chabang port, just outside of Pattaya. That is one of the main ports servicing Thailand and a great deal of cargo comes in from there. The article says that they are preventing trucks from entering, but noting is said about whether they are preventing trucks from leaving and delivering goods. _____ Pattaya Red Shirts join Laem Chabang Port protest We are closely monitoring local Anti-Government Red Shirt protesters and can report that they are currently not causing any problems here in the Pattaya area. The same cannot be said for Laem Chabang which is located 20kms from Pattaya in the direction of Bangkok. Red Shirt protesters have been camped outside the entrance to the Laem Chabang Port since Sunday. The protesters are now blocking the entrance to the port and preventing container trucks from entering. http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/20816/Laem-Chabang-port-protest/

I don't quite follow the logic. Of course I certainly agree that nobody should be shooting unarmed people, but haven't there been incidents of civilians lobbing grenades and shooting at the soldiers? I think Amnesty International should also have said it works both ways. The soldiers shouldn't have to be targets either. I've seen videos on YouTube that show Red-Shirts shooting at soldiers and I saw one that showed a group of Red-Shirts stop a military truck, pull out the soldier who was driving, and they shot and killed him. Where's John Adams when you need him? As an aside, I've never understood how sites like YouTube don't allow sex and nudity, but videos of someone being murdered . . . no problem.

I'm looking for name calling, but if it's there I can't find it. If anyone has been posting name calling, please point out where it is and I'll get rid of it and, if necessary, whoever is doing it.

47 countries warn against Thai travel Published: 18/05/2010 Travel advisories for Thailand have been issued by 47 countries, with four issuing new guidance warning against any travel to the country due to the growing political violence in Bangkok. Israel, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands raised their travel advisories yesterday to the highest levels due to the weekend's unrest, joining similar warnings last week by Saudi Arabia, Spain, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Germany. The unrest is already taking a major toll on tourism, one of the country's largest industries. Tourist arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday fell to 10,000, compared with a daily number of 27,000 to 29,000 earlier this month and a normal rate of 30,000 per day. 47 countries warn against Thai travel

UDD Leader Admits Protest Funds Come from Thaksin Published: 18/05/2010 A United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leader has admitted the red shirt rally has received financial support from ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the former deputy leader of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party. protest funds come from Thaksin "I didn't know 'till this day - it was Barzini all along." Marlon Brando, 'The Godfather'

It's Thai for "huh?"

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'