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I would guess because of two reasons: One was because the government was determined to avoid violence on their part unless there absolutely was no other choice. The other was probably because the foreign representatives inside the hotel have to breathe the same air as the Red Shirts who had broken in and were just outside. "Sooooo, they are going." - Yul Brynner, 'Taras Bulba'

I'll be there with some friends. If anyone cares to join us, just send me a PM and I'll be happy to add you to our reservation.

That depends upon how long the state of emergency will be in place in Pattaya. I doubt it will last very long, but a state of emergency prohibits gatherings of more than 5 people. That could make for a very interesting Songkran.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Natthawut Declares Victory, Tells Red-Shirts to Leave Pattaya for Bangkok Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the red-shirted movement, declared victory for the Pattaya battle and told the protesters to leave the town and head back to Bangkok. "The war in Pattaya was over now. Since we have gained victory, all red-shirted people in Pattaya will return to join the rally in front of the Government House," Natthawut said.

I hope that report is true. It will certainly be nice if things get back to normal around here within the next day or two. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Red-Shirts Disperse Following State of Emergency Arisman Pongruangron told red-shirted protesters to disperse from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel, TNN reported at 1:58 pm. Arisman said the red-shirted had scored a victory to prevent the Asean summit so they no longer needed to occupy the hotel.

This just in from THE NATION: _____ Govt Announces State of Emergency in Pattaya, Chon Buri Prime Minister Abhisit announced on TV that the government announced state of emergency in Pattaya and Chon Buri following the raid of the summit venue. Abhisit said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was assigned to enforce the emergency law to control the situation. He said the government had made sure that all Asean leaders and other foreign leaders would leave the country safely.

Perhaps not. Then the next question is why were no viable contingency plans ever put into place? I would have thought contingency plans would be made even if there were no protests at all. Oh well, so much for my way of thinking . . . By the way, as I write this I'm suddenly hearing several helicopters overhead. I'm also surprised that none of the embassies have issued travel warnings or 'stay away from protest area' warnings.

New is breaking fast. This just in from THE NATION: _____ Asean Summit in Pattaya Collapses Thai government decided to postpone indefinitely the Asean Summit in Pattaya after red shirts protesters broke into the hotel which is hosting the summit. Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said the leaders who were attending the Summit which started on Friday are leaving the compound. "The leaders and the Thai government decided to delay the summit as the situation is not safe for them and the officials," he said in a telephone interview with Thai TV station.

I don't think so. I think contingency plans could be made quite rapidly and I don't think finding a hotel would even be necessary. A military base could be used and emergency arrangements could be made quickly. At the moment, based on my interpretation of the news reports, the very safety of the foreign dignitaries is at peril. You may, of course, be right in light of the fact that the authorities seem to be helpless to do very much. In any case, it would be difficult to dispute that despite the warnings that something like this could happen, no serious contingency plans were ever made and nothing proactive was properly planned to deal with this kind of situation. Apparently the Red Shirt leaders intend to try to push the government until there is no choice left but to resort to force to put a stop to this, and I think that's exactly what they want. I don't think the Thai government ever expected the Red Shirts to physically attack the Asean summit. In my opinion, it's a no-win situation for the Thai government. The Thai government must already have lost a hell of a lot of prestige over this. If they don't do something substantial to end this, then Thailand will have descended into sheer anarchy. If they do resort to force, then I believe they are playing right into the hands of the trap set by the Red Shirt leadership. The end result, if nothing else, will be to even further cripple the already devastated tourist industry. It will be very interesting to see what effect, if any, this all will have on the exchange rates next week.

This news just broke less than 10 minutes before this post: The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Arisman Directs Protesters to Hunt for PM Inside Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Arisman Pongruangrong, a red-shirted leade, directed protesters to raid inside the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel to hunt for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. After the protesters broke inside the building of the hotel at 12:50 pm, Arisman kept on urging protesters to go inside to look for Abhisit and to disrupt all Asean meetings. TNN News agency reported that the raid by the protesters, who smashed the hotel's windows, prompted all meetings to be canceled immediately. _____ And this: _____ TNN Reports Some Vehicles Speed out of Hotel TNN reported live from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel at 1:12pm that some vehicles sped out of the hotel, passing through protesters after the red-shirted protesters stormed inside the hotel.

I voted "other," for precisely the same reason. I guess I should have been more clear in the poll that the first two choices were meant to apply to inside the bar.

I have put a poll in place for you. Isn't it true that smoking in bars is now illegal? I realize that several bars are disregarding the smoking regulations, but I still see no valid reason why smokers, including myself, have to subject non-smokers to their smoke. All a smoker has to do is step outside and light up outdoors. I have never understood why smokers would object to that, unless they feel that it is their privilege to force non-smokers to have to deal with their smoke.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Govt Asks Asian Leaders to Stay Published: 11/04/2009 at 11:16 AM The government has asked delegations from China, Japan and South Korea not to walk away from the Asean regional meetings following the violent clashes between protesters in Pattaya. A team of government spokesmen led by Panithan Wattayakorn held an emergency press conference on Saturday morning after meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits and related summits were postponed. The clashes between the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters and blue-shirted People Love Pattaya supporters would not affect security during the regional meetings, Mr. Panithan said. But the summits would have to be rescheduled. The government would announce when they would resume. The spokesman said officials had asked delegates from China, Japan and South Korea not to leave the meetings, but admitted it would take time to bring the situation under control. ____________________ Would someone please explain to me why they don't simply move the summit elsewhere? If the Prime Minister was helicoptered in, then they can helicopter the delegates out. All they have to do is move the meetings to a military base or even the grounds of the U-Tapao airport, where the protesters can't get at them. It seems to me that it wouldn't take much effort to move the whole thing to an area that can be totally secured. Can you imagine the repercussions any of these people to attack one of the foreign heads of state, especially if it is a successful attack? In my opinion, if anyone ever writes a book about planning and security, then what's going on in Thailand should be the lead story in the chapter entitled, "Don't Let This Happen to You."

I don't think Mr. Grzes has much to worry about. When the religious right in the USA hears about it, they'll probably send some volunteers over to perform an exorcism. I wonder what the good Reverend Phelps ( see: http://www.godhatesfags.com ) has to say about this! The good Reverend Fred Phelps

This just in - from THE NATION: _____ 2 Red-Shirted Protesters Injured in Pattaya Clash Pattaya - Two red-shirted protesters were injured during their battle with the blue-shirted demonstrators in front of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel Saturday morning. At 9:34 am, the two sides sent representatives to negotiate and agreed to keep a distance between the two groups of demonstrators to avoid more clashes. The Nation

It is a crazy idea. I hope the way I heard it turns out to be wrong, but don't be surprised if that's exactly what they intend to do. In another post you asked me if I forgot where I am. This idea, if what I heard is the way it will be, is certainly a very good reminder.

That's a shame, but with all the confusion and chaos going on in Pattaya, I'm not surprised at the screw-up. Under normal circumstances it probably never would have happened.

It's finally happened. Political violence has erupted in Pattaya. I'm sorry to see it come to this, but I'm not surprised. What nobody knows at this point is how much of an escalation there will be or whether any kind of retaliation will occur in Bangkok or other cities. Not exactly a good day to head for the beach in Pattaya today! The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Summit Postponed Following Clash in Pattaya By Supalak Ganjanakhundee The Natiton Pattaya The summit of Asean leaders with dialogue partners has been postponed from 9 am Saturday following a clash of red-shirted and blue-shirted people outside the meeting venue. The postponement was announced live on TV by the acting government spokesman, Panithan Watanayagorn. "The government is investigating the incident," Panithan told an urgent press conference. He said he expected that related meetings could be postponed accordingly. "We also concern the safety of the leaders and the people including the protesters. We are working hard to control the situation," Panithan said. The spokesman of the Foreign ministry, Tharit Charungvat, said all delegates are not the targets of the protesters. "The protesters want to humiliate the government," he said. At 8:40 am, the red-shirted protesters armed with giant firecrackers, Molotov cocktails, sling shots and batons, battled with local people who formed a line to protect the venue of Asean +6 and Asean + 3 summits. A few people were injured. The outnumbered blue-shirted local people was scattered and ran for cover when the red-shirted people attacked them. Several explosion sounds of firecrackers were heard and the red-shirted people were seen as firing slingshots with bolts at the blue-shirted people who tried formed a line in front of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel. The red-shirted people formed a line and kept advancing until the two sides stood confronting less than one metre apart and the clash broke out. The red-shirted protesters were seen carrying Molotov cocktails but none had been thrown at the other side yet. Terrified local residents closed their houses and many were seen weeping with fear. On Friday, the red-shirted leaders in Bangkok recruited the protesters to be deployed to Pattaya to fight against the blue-shirted ones. About 10,000 red-shirted protesters arrived at Pattaya in over 500 taxis, 20 buses and some six-wheel trucks, motorcycles and private cars. They reached the Phet Trakul Road where a group of red-shirted people was demonstrating at about 11:50 pm. At 7 am, about 100 red-shirted protesters and 30 taxis blocked the exit of Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel to try to prevent the Chinese prime minister, Japanese prime minister and South Korean president to leave for a summit with Asean leaders. ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Protests Prompt Asean Summit Closure More Red Shirts on Way for Summit's Second Day By: POST REPORTERS and AFP The foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea canceled a meeting at the Asian summit in Pattaya on Saturday after Thai red-shirt protesters blockaded their hotel, officials said. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva prevented the Japanese minister's car from entering the venue in the beach resort of Pattaya, reporters said. The meeting, which was set to discuss North Korea's recent rocket launch and economic issues, was delayed after the ministers had waited for an hour, officials from the Chinese and Japanese delegations said. News of the key Asian nations' decision to withdraw from the summit comes after Thai protesters laid siege to the gathering of Asian leaders on Friday, clashing with security forces and forcing their struggle to oust the prime minister into the international spotlight. Mr. Abhisit had earlier vowed that the summit, which had been focused on finding ways to fight the global financial crisis, would go ahead. It has already been postponed and relocated several times because of Thailand's political turmoil. "We will ensure that the meeting will proceed smoothly," he told a press conference. "I would like to reiterate that we can provide security." But red-shirted protesters of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) breached several security cordons and ultimately scuttled Saturday's summit start.

That's right. Today the protests and possible violence are expected to escalate. The first story appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Clash at Pattaya Protest More Red Shirts on way for Summit's Second Day By: POST REPORTERS Published: 11/04/2009 The number of red shirts at the Asean summit venue in Pattaya is likely to swell today after 2,000 broke through security on the first day yesterday, sparking clashes with some angry locals. Southeast Asian leaders have started their conference in Pattaya, where anti-government protesters poured into the venue yesterday. More were on their way there last night. Around 2,000 red-shirt demonstrators broke through security barriers and presented a letter denouncing the government to the Asean Secretariat representative at the Asean summit, which is being held until tomorrow. Protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship swarmed areas outside the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, the summit venue. They made their way through the police checkpoint before confronting lines of soldiers guarding the inner security layer. They gathered outside the hotel gate for two hours, then finally moved inside the hotel area. Asean and other leaders attending the summit gradually arrived at U-tapao naval airport near Sattahip, Chon Buri. However, the protest blockade stopped some from making their way through the front gate of the hotel, so they were taken in by other entrances. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reached the hotel by helicopter. Leaders from the 10-member Asean grouping and from China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are at the summit to push for further economic integration, after the G-20 summit in London two weeks ago. While the red shirts were pushing their way towards the hotel, about 100 disgruntled local people wearing blue shirts turned up and scolded them. Both groups exchanged heated words and engaged in scuffles. The blue-shirt people swarmed the protesters' cars and pushed them, prompting some of the red shirts to flee. The two sides clashed briefly before security forces stepped in. The situation was brought under control within half an hour. There were reports of minor injuries. Still, groups of red-shirt demonstrators led by Arisman Pongruangrong, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, broke through three barricades manned by police and soldiers to reach the hotel. In Bangkok, UDD leader Veera Musikhapong last night urged at least 100 taxi drivers and other supporters to take more protesters to Pattaya so they could join the gathering at the hotel. They were to take their vehicles to the Royal Plaza and Vibhavadi Rangsit road Soi 3, then pick up UDD protesters for the journey to Pattaya. In a video-link broadcast to supporters in Bangkok last night, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra urged UDD supporters in Bangkok and Chon Buri to increase the size of the demonstration outside the Asean summit venue. He insisted Mr Abhisit must dissolve parliament. Back at the hotel, Mr Arisman was allowed to meet a representative of the Asean Secretariat. He lodged a letter denouncing the country's leadership under Mr Abhisit as illegitimate. The letter added that the government was in no legal position to negotiate foreign deals. The demonstrators decided to pull back from the hotel after delivering the letter but vowed to return today. Influential politician Newin Chidchob, a leader of the majority group of MPs in the coalition Bhumjaithai party, was said to have led a group of blue-shirted people from Buri Rum to Pattaya to counter the red shirts. Last night he met Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban at the hotel to discuss how to block the UDD protesters. Mr Suthep said the government was determined that the summit, starting with an informal dinner among Asean leaders, should proceed without a glitch. "The interests of 16 countries are involved. We should not bring our domestic problems [to the table]. "I still cannot understand why they want to obstruct Thailand from hosting this summit," Mr Abhisit said. He insisted that the international community was aware of the red-shirt protesters' objectives and what they were up to. Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said Asean leaders appreciated the protesters' decision to withdraw from the premises and allow the summit to go on. "We do not need to share the demonstrators' opinions, but we listen to them," said Mr Surin after receiving the one-page petition from the UDD through his external relations chief P. Bala Kumar. Top military officers yesterday gathered at the residence of Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon in the compound of the First Infantry Division Royal Guard headquarters to assess the situation. They agreed an emergency decree should not be invoked, to avoid walking into a "trap" laid by Thaksin who allegedly plans to instigate violence. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ Red Shirts to Asean : "We'll be Back" Pattaya - Anti-government protesters are threatening to resume their demonstration at the Asean Summit in Pattaya today after being chased by opponents and local residents while retreating from the venue yesterday. The noisy protest by 2,000 people from the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) ended yesterday evening after their leader, Arisman Phongruangrong, handed a letter of demands to Bara Kuma Palaniappan, a senior official with the Asean Secretariat. Local residents and men in black shirts were seen throwing sticks and water bottles at them as they were leaving the venue. The protesters said they had no intention of disrupting the meeting, but rather wanted to exercise their democratic rights in front of foreign leaders. "We are a democratic force, not Thaksin followers. We're here to show our presence," said spokesman Sean Bounpracong. Earlier, some protesters broke into the compound of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, which is hosting the Asean Summit and meetings with dialogue-partner countries, and sat there until their letter was handed to the Asean official. The letter demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva resign and General Prem Tinsulanonda, former prime minister Surayud Chulanont and former Supreme Court chief Chanchai Likhitjittha step down from the Privy Council. Abhisit told reporters the government was ready to host the meeting, which would benefit not only all Thais, but also the vast majority of the people in the region. "We'll ensure the meeting proceeds smoothly. It involves the interests of 16 countries, so there is no reason for us to bring our domestic problems [to the table]. I simply cannot understand why they want to attack Thailand for hosting this," he said. Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said the grouping's leaders understood about freedom of expression but appreciated the protesters' decision to withdraw from the premises and allow the summit to go on. "This is an important meeting, the first regional one since the Group of 20 to discuss issues of global concern that are related to unemployment and poverty in the world, including here," Surin said. Leaders from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Laos, Burma, Brunei, the Philippines, China and Japan arrived in Pattaya yesterday for the summit. Security officials managed to take them to the meeting venue smoothly through other gates of the resort, although the protesters were in front of the convention hall. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was in Pattaya yesterday to handle the situation. He came out of the resort to face the demonstrators briefly. Leaders from Indonesia, India, Australia and New Zealand plus the UN secretary-general are scheduled to arrive today.

It is my understanding that the intent is for the Jomtien Beach road to become one-way, heading south and the new road will be one-way, heading north. If that is the case, it doesn't seem like a very good idea to me. Unless something is planned that I don't know about, it will be quite a walk for beach-goers to catch a baht bus heading back toward town.

Things are happening too quickly now to really be able to keep up with it all. From what I understand, the main news items are saying that the Red Shirts are losing momentum fast and what has been going on in Bangkok is fizzling out. As far as I know, the roads are clearing, there is no sign of an airport takeover attempt, and the scare that they might try to takeover the BTS and Metro never materialized into anything. On the other hand, the situation in Pattaya is, according to the latest news, likely to get worse. Supposedly, tomorrow a great many Red Shirt reinforcements are going to move into Pattaya and attempt to disrupt the ASEAN summit. We'll know the real story tomorrow. Rumors are flying all over the place, so at the moment I don't think anyone really knows what to expect next. Based on what I've been reading, it appears that in the end the government will prevail and the Red Shirts don't have much chance of succeeding in bringing down the government. One thing I have yet to hear: Suppose the Red Shirts really do prevail and force the current government to resign. Who, then, would be the country's leader? Who would take over for the Prime Minister? I haven't seen one word about that. Maybe they think they'll be bringing Thaksin back in triumph. Who knows? If Thaksin ever does return to Thailand I think it will be either of two ways. He'll either return in victory and become a virtual dictator here or he will return in chains. I don't see any other possibilities. Some people think Thaksin is a true statesman, that he has been treated unfairly, and that he has Thailand's best interest at heart. Others think his motivation is merely to try to regain the entirety of his wealth and power.

The next logical question is why? Why are the police doing all this road blocking in the first place, or at least why are they continuing it? What are they protecting or preventing by doing this? The Red Shirts managed to get right through to the Royal Cliff without any serious problems despite all this and, according to the latest news articles, a lot more of them are expected tomorrow. So, what is the reason for all this road blocking and traffic diverting? Unless someone has an explanation that makes sense, this is another addition to my "I Don't Get It" list.

In Pattaya, on the street that leads into the parking lot of the Big-C at Sukhumvit-Pattaya Tai, there is an Avon outlet at one of the shop houses, close to Sukhumvit. You can call their main office in Bangkok at 02 717 3300. They'll be able to tell you additional locations at which it can be purchased.

I can't remember just where I found this, but I loved it! _____ Hello sexy man. = Hello stupid farang. Hello. Come here = Hello. Come here Sucker. You very handsome, sexy man. = You look like you have a lot of money. Where you come from? = What currency do i need to check the exchange rate? You first time in Thailand? = Just how gullible are you? I no have farang, farang no like me. = I have many farang. Going for your sympathy vote works every time. How long you stay in Thailand? = How long have i got to bleed you dry? Which hotel you stay? = Where will I be sleeping tonight? You have Thai boy? = Do i have to share your money with anyone else? I love you = I love your money. You have good heart = You have a BIG wallet. You good man for me = You are spending a lot of money. You are good for my bank account. I miss you. = I miss your money. I no want money. = I want your money. I no want money. Only want you. = I want all your money. I go with you for free. = This will cost you double. I no Butterfly. = I sleep with my BF and any farang who pays money for me fine. i go with him before but no sex. = I truly am a liar. I not lie, I no like GO-HOK. = I'm a BIG liar. MY FRIEND ME = MY BOYFRIEND MY FRIEND YOU = YOUR FRIEND MONEY ME = MY MONEY MONEY YOU = MY MONEY.

The latest news reports are saying that the taxi cab siege in Bangkok will end, voluntarily on the part of the taxi drivers, at 5:00pm today.