Gay Thailand

Monday, April 13: _____ The Songkran celebrations in Pattaya were not diminished by the insanity over the weekend. Today marks the beginning of Songkran in Pattaya, the traditional Thai New Year. It's almost impossible to believe that just two days ago Pattaya was experiencing the worst turmoil in its history. It's also difficult to believe that in nearby Bangkok people are being killed, hurt, arrested, beaten, threatened, and lord-knows-what else. In Pattaya you never would know anything was going on at all. It was the beginning of the annual Songkran water splashing fun (or ordeal, depending on how you look at it). Out in my area, "The Dark Side" ea…

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ More Rallies 'As Soon as Decree Ends' By THE NATION Published on April 16, 2009 Movement will Regroup and Hit Back Stronger, Pheu Thai MP Vows The red shirts were likely to regroup after the government lifts the state of emergency, sources from security forces said yesterday. Although life in Bangkok appears to have returned to normal, intelligence officials have had tips that supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra plan more rallies as soon as the state of emergency is discarded. Red-shirt leaders such as Jatuporn Promphan, Jakrapob Penkair had earlier announced they were ready to…

The founder of Thailand's "yellow shirt" protest movement, which was behind the week-long occupation of Bangkok's main airports late last year, was shot and wounded early this morning. The car of Sondhi Limthongkul was attacked in a petrol station near the central bank around 5am local time (2200 GMT on Thursday), a spokesman for his People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said. The PAD was not part of the latest political violence in Thailand over the past week, which involved the red-shirted supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister ousted in a coup in 2006 and now living in self-imposed exile. The PAD is an extra-parliamentary group of r…

The Thai banks have not reported the exchange rates online since April 10. The best I can come up with is what is showing on the Oanda site, that the current exchange rate is 35.66008 baht to the US Dollar. The following article says the baht has been downgraded. I have very little understanding of economics and I don't have any idea what this means or where it will lead. Perhaps someone who understands these things can post a reply. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Baht Downgrade 'Understandable' Published: 15/04/2009 The downgrading of the baht's credentials from "A" to "A-" by Standard&Poor's was understandable in the w…

NEW PG Weekly Report for April 14th now online: http://www.pgreport.com/ (select April 14th and click to read) Pattaya News • SPECIAL FEATURE: SONGKRAN: You either love it or hate it • A gallery of photos: "Sexy Asian Guys" • Art exhibitions in Pattaya April • Amor Restaurant: "MANGO MANIA" and 15th Anniversary Promotion • Bar La Cage News and April Events • Body Language • Celebrate Songkran at the Garden Cafe • Deep Splash: the first stylist gay party in Pattaya at dusitD2 baraquda Pattaya • Dave Man Club • Dude Man Club • Dynamite Pattayaland Soi 1 • Here's one for all you grappling fans • Le Café Royale news • Miss Tiffany's …

Need to go to the dentist tomorrow. Not concerned with cost but want a good reliable pain free dentist. Chipped off part of my tooth and seems to be a situation where there could be alternative diagnosis so want someone with integrity. Never liked going to the dentist, well who does, and would prefer one somewhat fluent in English. Thanks for your help!

Hello in may this year I will visit old Sukhotai for some days. Is there any gay life there ? (bars, massage). And what about gaylife in new Sukhotai? Thanks for your information. Gr Hans

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Thaksin's Passport Revoked, Retains Citizenship Published: 15/04/2009 The passport of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been revoked for his role in inciting the protests that caused the cancellation of the weekend Asia summit in Pattaya and subsequent rioting, the chief government spokesman said on Wednesday. Thaksin still retains his Thai citizenship. ''The foreign ministry has cancelled his passport,'' spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said. ''The incident on the 11th [of April] is the reason. ''The decision to cancel his passport was based on passport issuing regula…

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Warrants Out for Thaksin, Protest Leaders Published on April 15, 2009 Dispersal of Red Shirts from Govt House not a Loss, Says Leader The Criminal Court yesterday issued arrest warrants for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and 13 of his supporters over Monday's riots, police said. The court issued the warrants late in the afternoon after protest leaders told the red shirts camped out at Government House to go home before turning themselves in around noon. The warrant said Thaksin was sought for inciting unrest that led Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to cancel the Asean summit in Pattaya and impo…

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Thaksin Has Been Found Out, and Out-Maneuvered Published on April 15, 2009 Before noon yesterday, key red-shirt leaders like Veera Musikapong and Nattawut Saikua, among others, realised it was time to cave in. They understood that it would be futile to continue fighting because their boss, Thaksin Shinawatra, had been finished. Yes, the plug had been pulled and the fugitive former PM was completely routed. It will be difficult for Thaksin to seek asylum because most countries would not want to welcome him now that they have witnessed the riots and subversive tactics used by his supporters in Bangkok. Th…

Today the Red-Shirts ended their protest and are now returning home. Buses have been provided for them and the police have warned them that they ought to change their shirts to a different color so that people who they managed to infuriate won't attack them. The ringleaders have given themselves up to the police. The violence has ended and order has been restored. What nobody knows at this point is just how much damage has been done to the country as a whole, the people, the economy, to property, to Thailand's reputation, to the tourist industry, etc. Nobody knows how long it will take for Thailand to recover from this. And by the way, since the rall…

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/...tml#cnnSTCVideo

I have pasted this Editorial from the Bangkok Post in full. It is quite good .... and I think correct!! EDITORIAL It's time to draw the line Published: 13/04/2009 With the events of the past few days and the fear of more violence to come, the red shirts can stop calling themselves protesters for democracy. They have given this noble ideal a bad name and ordinary citizens in this country who have been held hostage by their senseless rampage are feeling sick at heart. No matter the aim with which they launched their campaign, the red shirts have painted themselves as outlaws. There seems no option now but for the government to stick to its word and deal wit…

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Grim Warning: Stay Away from Thailand By: ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT and AFP Australia, Russia and Hong Kong have joined governments around the world in advising their citizens to avoid or reconsider traveling to Bangkok. "We urge Australians not in Bangkok to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in Canberra. "Those Australians who are in Bangkok, we urge them to stay within their homes or their hotels, to avoid demonstrations and to certainly avoid large gatherings of people." Mr. Smith's warning echoed an official travel advisory is…

several killed and most TV channels not showing it yet. redshirts tv offline for now check your travel times and allow more time if around BKK area..

As most of you know the krazy Dragon is a No Smoking Bar. I would like to make a small poll on this as I have never asked the customers there opinion Please let me have your comments

The following is from CNN: _____ BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has urged his supporters in the troubled south-east Asian country to revolt, a military-run network and CNN affiliate MCOT reported Sunday. His comments came after incumbent premier Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Bangkok, and surrounding areas in an attempt to contain days of intensifying anti-government protests. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, said in a video-link speech from an unknown location that he would return to Thailand to lead people in a march on the capital if necessary.

Hello guys, I am making my first trip to Pattaya in three weeks, it appears my timing was off a bit. I am curious, for those there now, is it still safe or should I defer the trip to another time when things have settled out? Also, when does the rainy season end? Seems like you guys have been getting an awful lot of rain lately......lol....... Hope you are all well and safe..... Thanks......

Urgent: State of emergency declared for Bangkok The government Sunday afternoon announced the state of emergency for Bangkok and some districts in satellite provinces. The government reasoned that protesters had committed violence in the areas so the government had to declare the state of emergency to restore normality in the areas. The areas include some districts in Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will be chief enforcer of the state of emergency measures. Police and soldiers as well as civil servants will assist Suthep in the operations to restore normality. The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.co…

In one of the most incredible showdowns in recent history, Abhisit vs Thaksin, both sides are escalating their tactics. Less than 30 minutes prior to this post, Thaksin called in again to incite the protesters to ratchet things up. Another little question I have is whatever happened to the Yellow Shirts? Just a few months ago they were so vocal and militant. Now I not only no longer see people wearing yellow shirts, but I haven't seen a word of comment published from any of their leaders. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Thaksin Makes Phone-in, Calling More to Join Rallies Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a phone-in to the …

56 companies of soldiers have been deployed to help police protect key government offices and secure major intersections in Bangkok. They are moving into place and many have already moved into place. This is "breaking news," so I have no further details yet.

Last Sunday Brunch Buffet for this season on Easter Sunday (April 12) Enjoy your Easter Sunday with your Family and Friends at Restaurant Casa Pascal! HAPPY EASTER ! Delight with an extensive buffet that offers Cold Appetizers including smoked Salmon, Rock Lobsters,Prawns,Crabs, Great international Salad Bar & Thai Salads Abundance of Appetizers, Italian Antipasto Cold Cuts, Terrines, Beef Tatar Live Pasta &Flamed Beef & Pork Tenderloin Station Soups and lots of other Asian and European Main Dishes And of course, the Sunday’s Breakfast Items B.B.Q Grill with Lamb Chops, Ribs,…

Apparently the Prime Minister and Thai government are all through taking a soft approach to the political uprising. Things could happen quickly now and it could easily become bloody. The following is an analysis by a Thai journalist. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Round Three: Nation on the Brink By Tulsathit Taptim The political showdown has reached the point where everyone can only pray and nobody dares to predict the outcome. Thaksin Shinawatra says he wants to "conclude" it during, if not before, Songkran. Abhisit Vejjajiva says everything will return to normal after Songkran. What will this dangerous common ground of the…

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Government Ready to Take Severe Action on Protesters : PM Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on TV at 5.20 pm Sunday that the public should be panic with the chaos caused by red shirted protesters and his authorities were now ready to suppress protesters. He urged the public to remain calm during the operations. His announcement came shortly after some 1,000 police armed with full gear including tear gas were heading to the Government House reportedly to crack down on the red shirted protesters rallied. Abhisit has declared state of emergency in Bangkok and five other provinces on Sunday afterno…

The following message is the latest posted on the US Embassy site at this time. Also, the US Embassy will be closed April 13-15 for the Thai Songcran Holiday, so I imagine the low man on the totem poll is minding the store!! Warden Message PM Declares “State of Emergency” in Pattaya and Chonburi This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Pattaya and Chonburi that Prime Minister Abhisit has officially declared the ASEAN Summit meeting in Pattaya over and has issued a decree authorizing emergency powers in Pattaya and Chonburi. The PM issued this decree following breaches of security at the conference’s hotel and meeting ven…