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Nov 14 Ppoll Sscrapped By THE NATION Published on May 13, 2010 Govt calls off plan to dissolve Parliament after reds refuse to heed ultimatum to end demonstration; Move to cut off power, water and food supply to protesters put on hold following plea by foreign envoys, Rajprasong residents The government yesterday decided to scrap its plan to dissolve Parliament and call an early general election in November after the red-shirted protesters refused to leave their protest site at the Rajprasong intersection, and also put on hold a plan to cut off essential supplies to force them to disperse. "As the protesters failed to follow the conditions agreed on in a series of negotiations earlier, we decided to cancel the November 14 election date," Prime Minister's Secretary Korbsak Sabhavasu said The government, under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, would carry on its tasks until the end of its term next year, he said. Nov 14 poll scrapped ______________________________ Agencies Say They Receive No Oorders By Pongphon Sarnsamak Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong Kornchanok Raksaseri The Nation Published on May 13, 2010 After the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced that it was cutting electricity and power supply at the red-shirt rally site by midnight last night as well as suspending bus and Skytrain services, related agencies said they had received no such orders. Agencies say they receive no orders ______________________________ Govt Revokes Election Offer Troops, APCs sent to seal off rally site, says source Published: 13/05/2010 The government has abruptly canceled its offer to hold a general election on Nov 14 after red shirt protesters refused to call off their rally at Ratchaprasong. As the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is showing no signs of complying with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's demand to end the rally, the government has responded by dropping its offer to dissolve the House between Sept 15-30 and call an election on Nov 14, Korbsak Sabhavasu, the prime minister's secretary-general said yesterday. Govt revokes election offer ______________________________ PM Risks Becoming Laughing Stock with Ultimatums Published: 13/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has given yet another ultimatum for the red shirts to leave Ratchaprasong junction - to no avail. This time, he has threatened that supplies of water and electricity and phone signals will be cut off from the protest site. He also said the area would be isolated - people would only be allowed to exit, not enter the premises. Despite the ultimatums and threats, there is no sign yet when - or if - the situation will return to normal. The red shirts continue to squat in the commercial district even though the government has bowed to all their demands. Instead of packing up and going home when PM Abhisit announced the date for the House dissolution - which was what the protesters said was the only thing they wanted - the red shirts have added more requests, including for Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to surrender to the police, as well as a resumption of their PTV television broadcasts. PM risks becoming laughing stock with ultimatums ______________________________ Plan to Cut Off Supplies Postponed Published: 12/05/2010 The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation on Wednesday night decided to postpone cutting off water and power supplies to the Ratchaprasong area for fear of causing hardships to residents in the area. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/177680/plan-to-cut-off-supplies-postponed

Who is in charge? I don't know, but I have my own opinion about who ought to be:

Authorities to Cut Water, Electricity, Phones at Ratchaprasong Published: 12/05/2010 Water and electricity will be cut off and food supplies blocked to red-shirt protesters camping in the Ratchaprasong area from midnight Wednesday, to pressure them to end the anti-government rally and return home, Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Wednesday. "This is the beginning of measures to fully enforce the law," Col Sansern said. Telephone signals will also be cut off, and there will be no access to public transport - buses, trains and boats - from the protest encampment, he said. He also warned that authorities were now ready to disperse the protesters if necessary, and called on them to leave the rally site. "The army is ready, but at this moment I don't want to talk about a crackdown, as we want to use measures to put pressure on them first. "To the residents in the area -- please leave. After midnight, authorities will not allow anyone to enter," Col Sansern said. Non-protesters living in the area as well as embassies would be affected by the measures, he said. Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) responded by saying they will continue their rally despite the threats. Authorities to cut water, electricity, phones at Ratchaprasong

Ever since Songkran, Thailand has been hit with unusually high temperatures and unusually high humidity levels. It has been very hot of late and Thailand has issued warnings, especially heat exhaustion warnings. If you are going to be in Thailand any time soon, take proper precautions. ____________________ Thailand Sizzles as Temperatures Go Through Roof Published: 12/05/2010 Thailand has been overwhelmed by stifling temperatures over the past few days, the Meteorological Department says. Health officials fear there will be heat stroke fatalities if the high temperatures continue for several more days. The Public Health Ministry has warned the public to take precautions against heat exhaustion, which can also be fatal. It also raised concern of other heat-related illnesses brought about by the hot spell. Thailand sizzles as temperatures go through roof

One correction: The first item under the "Pattaya Pride 2010 events UPDATE" section announces a Pattaya Pride fundraiser dinner at Manhattans on Sunday, May 16. That event has been canceled.

Irked PM says 'rally ends today' Army may cut power, water at Ratchaprasong Published: 12/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has warned the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship to end their protest today and leave their rally site. Mr Abhisit yesterday said the UDD's decision to continue demonstrating at Ratchaprasong intersection was tantamount to rejecting his reconciliation road map, which he proposed on May 3 to end the political rift and the confrontation between the government and the red shirts. If the UDD did not end its rally today, then the government has the legitimacy to take the necessary action to restore national security and normalcy in the country, he said in parliament. "If the situation in the country does not return to normal, it will affect the election. Protesters should return home on May 12." A source at the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation said the new school term was another reason to clear the area. Most schools are due to resume on Monday. The source said if UDD leaders do not end their protest today, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would consult army chief Anupong Paojinda about measures to end the protest. However, the source said the CRES yesterday did not discuss mobilising security forces against the red shirts. The new army plans include cutting off water and electricity supplies to the Ratchaprasong area to put more pressure on the red shirts to go home. Irked PM says 'rally ends today'

The part I don't understand is why the meeting? Apparently the USA called this meeting, ostensibly to fully understand the implications of the Prime Minister's peace proposals. It seems quite clear to everyone else. What's the part the Assistant Secretary doesn't get? Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but considering that the problems are part of Thailand's internal affairs, then calling this meeting makes about as much sense to me as it would for Thailand to be calling a similar meeting to fully understand Obama's health care plan. My guess is the real purpose behind the meeting is to fully understand how the outcome might affect USA businesses dealing with Thailand.

US Official's 'Meddling' Angers Kasit Political standoff is 'a Thai internal affair' Published: 11/05/2010 The Foreign Ministry has complained to US ambassador to Thailand Eric John about a meeting between a senior US official and supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Monday summoned Mr John to the ministry for a 45-minute discussion where he expressed his concern about the meeting on Sunday, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the minister, quoted him as saying. On Sunday US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held a meeting with the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party's former leader Chaturon Chaisaeng, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama and key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. US official's 'meddling' angers Kasit ____________________ I'd like to know how this meeting came about. If the Assistant Secretary of State was invited by the Thais to hold this meeting, that's one thing. If not and if the meeting was initiated by the USA, then it sure seems like 'meddling' to me.

If those of you who believe it was a matter of misinterpretation think "go with you free" meant no off fee instead of an intentional con job, then that's the first time I've ever heard of a bar boy having the authority to waive a bar's off fees. I don't buy the idea that it was a matter of cultural difference, misunderstanding, mistranslation, or anything else other than the boy knowing exactly what he was saying. I've lived here long enough and have seen far too much to be making excuses for the boy when these kinds of things happen. Obviously, we can't know positively just what the boy's intentions really were, but my experience tells me that "go with you free" means the boy is speaking for himself, not the bar.

Lena Horne, Singer and Actress, Dies at 92 By ALJEAN HARMETZ Published: May 9, 2010 Lena Horne, who was the first black performer to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio and who went on to achieve international fame as a singer, died on Sunday night at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. She was 92 and lived in Manhattan. Lena Horne, Sultry Singer and Actress, Dies at 92 - Biography - NYTimes.com

A typo on my part, which I have now corrected, although I have on occasion seen the 'muu' spelling used. 'Moo' or simply 'M.' are the two most common.

To be even more precise: หมู่บ้าน moo baan - noun = village Moo baan is shortened to 'moo'

If you missed it, you can download it from EZTV ( EZTV ). You also need a bit torrent program. I like VUZE ( Vuze ). I am pretty sure downloading via EZTV are legal downloads. What you do is open VUZE. Then go to EZTV and do a search for the TV program that interests you. When you click on the program it will take you to a page on which you look for a series of down-pointing arrows. Those are links to mirror sites. Click on any one of the arrows and you'll have a link to VUZE or whatever bit torrent program you use. When you click on the arrow it will start a download of the link for your bit torrent. It will be a very quick download. Once the link comes in, double-click on it and it will automatically start the download on VUZE or whatever else you use. Then all you have to do is wait for the program to finish downloading.

PM Gives Ultimatum to Reds UDD unable to decide on when to end protest Published: 10/05/2010 The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has left everyone in confusion after being pressed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for the exact date on which it will lift its rally to oust the government. Key red shirt leaders Veera Musikhapong, Natthawut Saikua and Chatuporn Prompan cancelled a press conference and held an urgent meeting yesterday to counter the fresh demand by the prime minister. After three hours of talks, Mr Chatuporn said the UDD could not come up with a common position. More talks were needed before a final decision. Mr Abhisit gave the UDD until today to give an exact timeframe for the end of its rallies which have paralysed parts of the inner city. He also accused former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of standing in the way of efforts to end political rifts. PM gives ultimatum to reds

Many of you are probably familiar with Wi's Retaurant, located on Third Road in Pattaya, just across the street from the X-Zyte disco. That restaurant is one of my personal favorites. He has plenty of a-la carte items and a nightly set menu. Every entree includes his salad bar. Along with the salad bar, the set menu, which changes every Sunday, includes a bread basket, amuse bouche, appetizer, soup, sherbet, main course, dessert, and a glass of your choice of red or white wine. The main course is your choice of a beef, pork, chicken, or fish dish. Those of you who have been there also know how beautifully the food is presented and the top notch quality of the food and service. The set menu is 495 baht. Last night, which was a Sunday, Geezer and I ate at Wi's. Now his Sunday set menu includes everything except for the glass of wine at the incredible price of 275 baht. That has to be one of the best bargains in town. Wi's Restaurant Pattaya Thailand - European restaurant five star food and services at a one star price.

My friend, what you're looking at is their T-shirt or jersey lifted up from the front and looped behind their neck like that so that they can look a bit sexier in the photo they are posing for.

As long as you get the "official scoop," does it matter whether it comes from Gun or a farang? Personally I would take Gun's word much quicker than I would most farang anyhow.

I'm not sure what kind of advice you are seeking. What do you need advice about? If you're asking whether Bumrungrad is a good hospital, the answer is yes.

I disagree. Once in 1956 I heard truer words . . .

The flier says for further information call Gun at Euroboys and gives a phone number. Why not just call him and ask? Gun speaks English fairly well.

Philippine Gay Party on Ballot for the First Time By Elizabeth Yuan, CNN May 9, 2010 (CNN) -- A gay political party will be on the ballot Monday for the first time in the Philippines, where eight out of 10 households are Roman Catholics. The elections will determine whether Ang Ladlad ("Out of the Closet") -- which represents lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender Filipinos (LGBT) -- will get the maximum three seats allowable for a marginalized or underrepresented party in Congress. "We consider it a milestone in Philippine human rights," said Leila De Lima, head of the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines. "They are really always victims of discrimination, exclusion and even violence." The Commission sided with Ang Ladlad when its legal fight to stand for elections reached the Supreme Court. Philippine gay party on ballot for the first time

If the latest news is any indication of what is to come, there seems to be little hope now of a peaceful, positive outcome or a quick agreement between all parties and an imminent end to the crisis. People are still being injured and killed. The Red-Shirt leadership is reconsidering acceptance of the peace plan and according to the news they are meeting today to discuss it. The plan for the Red-Shirts to disband and return home on Monday has been put on hold and instead thousands more Red-Shirts are arriving in Bangkok. ____________________ Thousands of Red Shirts Arrive in City CONCERN AT SWELLING PROTEST Published: 9/05/2010 More red shirt members from the north and northeastern provinces arrived in Bangkok yesterday to join their comrades at Ratchaprasong intersection. Around 5,000 red shirt supporters, mainly from Udon Thani and Khon Kaen, started off yesterday morning and reached the capital later in the day. Thousands of red shirts arrive in city I think I ought to point out to those trying to decide whether to come to Thailand or postpone your plans, there are no problems at the airport. In major gay destinations such as Pattaya, Samui, Phuket, etc. there are also no problems. In Pattaya, there is nothing going on at all other than at City Hall, and most holiday makers aren't going to venture anywhere near there in the first place. I really don't know how the protests are affecting the gay areas of Bangkok and I wish someone currently in Bangkok would give us a report, but I can tell you that if your plans are to come to Pattaya or other destinations in Thailand, there is no reason to postpone your plans. I think every farang in Pattaya would agree with me when I say that if it wasn't for the news media, you wouldn't even know anything is happening in Bangkok. Pattaya is perfectly normal (if you can call life here 'normal' in the first place).

I'm glad you realize now what the boy was really up to. I agree that the 500 baht figure is not the real issue. To me the issue is farang new to Thailand being taken advantage of and ending up duped. It did work out well for you and that's good and you were lucky. It doesn't always work out that way. To me the issue is the boy told you he wants to go with you "for free" when he really intended from the outset to try to get money out of you. To me, that's being dishonest and although it wasn't much money, it was still an an intentional con job. I don't see the main issue as being 500 baht, 50 baht, or 5000 baht. What matters to me is that this boy tried, successfully, to con you as to his actual intentions. I don't pay to be conned and that's why I'm saying I would have given him taxi fare and nothing more. The only place I know in Pattaya where you're not expected to hand over cash is at the Sansuk Sauna. If a boy tells me he wants to go with me "for free" (which never happens anyway), my most likely response would be, "Sorry, I can't afford free."

I'm having some difficulty understanding you. You say you're looking for a romantic, gay-friendly hotel on the beach, a hotel with swimming pool. You say your partner worked hard all year and now wants to be pampered. We have been telling you that the Rabbit Resort is the ideal hotel for you. And yet you are reluctant to stay there because it's more expensive than many other places. Sometimes it is worth paying more to get what you want. I would think if your partner wants to pamper himself after working hard all year, spending a few extra baht to be in precisely the kind of hotel you want in precisely the location you want would be worth doing. For what you are looking for, you're not going to find a better deal in Pattaya than the Rabbit Resort for a very simple reason. No other hotel exists that meets all your criteria.

Just make sure you let Rhonda know you want the miles. I think there were times that she could have gotten even less expensive rates if you were willing to forfeit the miles, so make sure she knows you want flights with miles available. Don't forget, my information may not be accurate now. Except for the one time I used her 2 years ago, since living in Thailand the last time I used Rhonda was in 2004. You'll probably get better answers from people who have used her more recently. An even weirder idea is to just call Rhonda and ask . . .