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Samak, who was ousted by Thailand's Supreme Court just two days ago has been re-nominated for Prime Minister by his PPP party and he has accepted the nomination. He disappeared from public view immediately after the court verdict, but re-emerged today. So far, he is refusing to talk with reporters. As of this post, there has been no reaction from the opposing party, the PAD.

I doubt that the average 7-Eleven employee will have much of a command of English, but I would think they can at least figure out that someone has entered under great stress and the police need to be contacted. They are going to be trained, so that ought to help considerably. I just hope there will be a requirement for new employees to be trained if they were not already employed when the first training session begins. I also hope they make sure tourists are made aware that they can go to a 7-Eleven if a situation arises. It will be interesting to see what develops from this. I'm not going to be among the people who start putting it down before the idea is even tried. I think it's a good idea and will certainly be better than what exists now, which is virtually nothing. How many readers out there know the emergency number for the police or would remember it during an emergency? How many of you could even explain to the police where you are? How many of you who come to Thailand as holiday makers also carry a mobile phone with you when in Thailand? Another source of help is often motorcycle taxi drivers. Many of them, especially when in groups, readily come to the rescue when a farang has a problem.

Thursday, September 11 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 34.50 Euro: 48.025 British Pound: 60.255 Australian Dollar: 27.3375 Canadian Dollar: 31.965 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 34.57 Euro: 48.07 British Pound: 60.36 Australian Dollar: 27.2875 Canadian Dollar: 32.0425

Many of us view Pattaya's City Hall as an almost useless, inept organization. Be that as it may, in my opinion they have come up with an excellent idea. Tourists, and even resident farang, can find themselves in a predicament and don't know what to do, where to get help, how to handle a difficult situation, how to contact the police, etc. One thing that's quite easy to do in Pattaya is to find a 7-Eleven. They're literally everywhere. I'll let the article explain. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Press Conference Announces Police Emergency Contact Points for Tourists at 7-11 Stores On Tuesday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Itipon, the Mayor of Pattaya chaired a press conference to announce a new Scheme which is being tested here in Pattaya and also in Bangkok and Ko Chang. The project created in conjunction with the CP Company, Pattaya Police, Banglamung Police, Immigration Police, Tourist Police and Pattaya City Hall will use 7-Eleven Convenience Stores around Pattaya as Police Emergency Contact Points for Tourists. Staff will be trained to contact the relevant authorities should a Tourist present themselves at the store with a problem. 144 7-Eleven Stores around Pattaya will take part in the program. The organizers tell us that Tourists can always find a 7-Eleven Store but may find it harder to find a Police Station should they have a problem. Depending on the problem, staff will either contact the Tourist Police or local Police or even Pattaya City Hall.

As many of you know, Bangkok's Don Muang airport is still used by several airlines for domestic flights within Thailand as well as used for cargo flights. Nothing in the article indicates whether this move will have any effect on those flights or whether there will be significant passenger inconvenience. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Don Muang Airport to be Temporary Government Office By Piyanart Srivalo The Nation The government is planning to use Don Muang Airport as a temporary workplace because it will take several months to repair Government House after the sit-in protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a source said Wednesday. The PAD has shown no signs of leaving Government House after it invaded the property last month and camped there to rally against the government, causing damage to the building, the gardens and the grounds. Government House officials and ministers have had to temporarily move to the Public Relations Department on Soi Aree, Ban Manangkasila, Ban Phitsunalok and the Royal Thai Army Headquarters, causing a lack of coordination. Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, acting as caretaker prime minister, consulted with concerned parties and decided to use Don Muang Airport as the office for the prime minister and his deputies as well as permanent officials. The airport's reception areas will also become reception areas for the government's guests. "We have decided to find a temporary workplace because even if the PAD calls off the protest we need several months to fix the area,'' Somchai said. The first agency to be moved to the airport is the Secretariat of the Cabinet. The Office of the Permanent Secretary to the PM's Office, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary-General and the National Security Council will follow. "If the PAD moves out of Government House, the government will build a car park on the area connected with Rajdamnoen Avenue as it has already allocated funds for the purpose,'' he said.

George Stanley Sings! George Stanley, Pattaya's International Musician of repute will be performing live at Mikes Bar La Cage on Friday 19th. September. In what will be an evening of firsts, George will be singing a collection of his favorite songs in a new intimate style. An accomplished Musician, Singer, Composer and Producer, George has had a lifetime, some say two, in the music business. He has worked on every continent except Antarctica and locally will be known as a Rock and Blues artist closely associated with Pattaya's premier rock venue, the Blues Factory. For this special charity night for Thais4Life, George will be performing at 11 pm. However the fun starts with the famous Happy Hour BOGOF offer, buy one get one free, until 9 pm. At 9.30 there is a new music quiz. "Name That Tune" is fast, frantic fun. How many hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's can you identify. Prizes for the winner and runner up. From 10.30 pm a complimentary buffet will be served before George takes the stage at 11 pm. Mike will be donating prizes, freebies, free food and raffle prizes with the draw around midnight. If you fancy making an evening of it by having a couple of drinks in the bar early during Happy Hour, then Dinner at the White Night Buffet Restaurant, next door, before entering the quiz at 9.30 and then enjoying George's performance, Mike will present you with a special "thank you" bottle of wine or spirit of your choice. A table reservation will be required for this package offer. Call Mike on 0894028741.

Thank you. I'll definitely have a look.

From among all of them, Chinese is still my preference. It strikes me as a little bit strange that Thailand, being so close to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, has so few Chinese restaurants, with the exception of Bangkok's Chinatown. Pattaya has plenty of French, Italian, Korean, and Indian restaurants, to mention just a few foreign style restaurants. There's even a Uzbekistan restaurant on Soi VC, just off of Sunee Plaza, for crying out loud. Meanwhile, I think there may have been more Chinese restaurants within a couple miles of where I used to live in Florida than there are in all of Thailand . . . including Bangkok's Chinatown.

If you think that's bad, just imagine the waiting time at customs upon return to the USA while they are checking all the computers to see if anyone has porn.

Another bizarre turn of events is that Samak started his day yesterday in Udon Thani. He was supposed to return to Bangkok, so he said, to hear the verdict. The latest news reports say that not only did he not appear in court, but he also did not return home. His servants were interviewed and say they don't have any idea where he is. Nobody seems to know where he is. Why am I thinking of Jimmy Hoffa?

It's a nice dream, but if it happens I don't think it will happen all that quickly. Even without the current political mess, Thailand has been through so many problems within the past few years that I've lost count of them all. And yet, the baht goes steadily on.

There are good videos in English on the CNN web site: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...tml#cnnSTCVideo

Wednesday, September 10 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 34.42 Euro: 48.535 British Pound: 60.57 Australian Dollar: 27.5175 Canadian Dollar: 32.02 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 34.41 Euro: 48.615 British Pound: 60.63 Australian Dollar: 27.6475 Canadian Dollar: 32.1275

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD to Continue Protest Despite Court Ruling (BangkokPost.com) – People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) released a statement on Tuesday night, saying that it would continue its anti-government protest as it has proven that the group played an important role in opposing the government that has violated the charter. The statement was released several hours after the Constitution Court ruled that Samak Sundaravej violated the constitution by hosting cooking shows on commercial television and ordered him to step down. PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the rally needs to go on as the group would like to closely monitor the situation and see who will be elect to be a new prime minister. Mr Suriyasai called on political parties to think ‘outside the box,’ and said neither Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva nor Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa is qualified to lead the country. “There will be problems if Mr Abhisit is elected,” he said. “If Mr Banharn is elected, there will be conflicts as well.” PAD also condemned People Power party (PPP)’s resolution to re-elect Samak Sundaravej back into the government, saying that this is a proof that the party MPs are unethical thus should not have the right to govern the country. “These politicians have the intention to keep the country under crisis,” it said in the statement.

Thai Constitution Court Strips PM, Entire Cabinet from office BANGKOK, Sept 9 (TNA) -- Thailand's Constitution Court on Tuesday ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was found in violation of the Constitution due to his having hosted cooking shows on commercial television stations and that he must leave office together with his entire cabinet, becoming the first Thai prime minister to be thrown out by the court. All nine judges of the Constitution Court voted unanimously that Mr. Samak, who took office on February 6 this year, was guilty because he had violated Article 267 of the Constitution, written by coupmaker-appointed legal and constitutional experts. Article 267 stipulates that a prime minister is prohibited from holding any position in a partnership, firm or an organisation carrying out business with the intention to share profits or income, or being an employee. Mr. Samak resigned from the two talk-and-cook show programmes shortly after he was appointed prime minister. The court also ruled that Mr. Samak's cabinet could remain as a caretaker administration for 30 days until parliament elects a new prime minister. However, Mr. Samak is not barred from being reelected prime minister, and his ruling People Power Party, as well as its coalition partners, have already voiced their support for him to run the country which continues to face political turbulence as anti-government protesters loyal to People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who took control of Government House August 26 and have demanded that the government resign without condition. Shortly after Thailand's Constitution Cout justices announced their unanimously 9-0 'guilty' ruling, all sitting members of parliament of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed unanimously to nominate Mr. Samak to the premiership in the upcoming session of parliament, according to Kuthep Saikrachang, party spokesman. Meanwhile, some anti-government demonstrators besieging Government House since August 26 to force the premier to resign, roared with cheer as they heard the court verdict, but the protesters said they would not call off their marathon protests which began May 25, saying they feared Mr. Samak would come back to run the country. The embattled prime minister did not attend the court ruling as he chaired a cabinet weekly meeting in the northeastern province of Udon Thani. (TNA)

Apparently, the Thai Supreme Court's decision will do little to ease the tension. According to the latest publicity, plans are already in the works to elect Samak right back into office, almost immediately. There has been much speculation that Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa would be Samak's replacement if he either declines to accept a re-nomination or for some reason cannot be voted back into power, however Banharn is saying he has no intention of becoming Prime Minister, despite all the talk to the contrary. So far there has been no official reaction from the leadership of the PAD, the party in opposition to Samak The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PPP and Coalition Parties to Vote Samak Back By The Nation People's Power Party agreed on Tuesday to vote for Samak Sundaravej to become prime minister again, PPP's spokesman Kudeb saikrachang. The Constitution Court on Tuesday has disqualified Samak from the premiership after he is found violating the charter by hosting two cooking shows. Kudeb said the party believed Samak was already punished by the disqualification and his wrongdoings did not involve with the administrating the country. "Therefore we believe that Khun Samak should be voted as prime minister again," he claimed. Other coalition parties also voiced agreement to the idea, he said.

What "sneering suggestion?" I said I go to a neighbor or a nearby motorcycle taxi driver when I'm having difficulty getting someone to understand my directions, and that's exactly what I do and what I was trying to suggest you do if the need arises. Isn't that terrible? What's the problem about that? To you that's a "sneering suggestion" saying that you are not capable of explaining where you live? Based on your post directly above this one, if you want to see who writes "sneering suggestions," just look in a mirror.

That's true. Of course I neither said he speaks fluent English nor did I say I needed help from a neighbor to explain the nature of my computer problem, but I suppose that doesn't matter, does it . . . Well bully for you. What, exactly, is your point? Do you wish to make him appear incompetent because he failed to understand your directions? What on earth does that have to do with his ability to work with computers? He happens to be a fantastic computer person, even if he can't figure out where you live.

Thank you very much. That's beginning to look a bit more like it. I wonder if their in-house menu is more extensive.

From what I have read, even if he resigns the Thai parliament can restore him to office if they so choose. The story just broke less than ten minutes prior to this post, so it will be a little while before many details come out, but here's what's being reported so far in THE NATION: _____ SAMAK FOUND GUILTY By The Nation online 4.30 pm: Urgent: The Court Finds Samak Guilty Six judges considered Samak to be the "employee" while three others considered Samak a business partner of the studio, a constitutional offence in both cases. The court said evidence presented by Samak that he was only given transport fees for hosting the show "contradicted" payment evidence by the studio, Face Media. The court went strong on the principles laid down by the Constitution against conflicts of interests. The judges pointed out that using definitions of "employ", "employer" and "employee" from different laws are not enough to tell whether the will of the Constitution has been violated. ____________________ And this, also from THE NATION: _____ Convicted Samak Disqualified The Constitution Court Tuesday convicted Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of having violated the charter by hosting commercial TV shows while in office. The court voted unanimously to give a guilty verdict against Samak and disqualified him as the prime minister. The court reasoned that the Constitution was aimed to prevent conflicts of interest on part of Cabinet members so Samak had violated in the intention of the charter although he host the programmes on part-time basis. The entire Cabinet also lost its status but other Cabinet members became caretaker ministers until new Cabinet is found, the court ruled. The Nation ____________________ And this, also from THE NATION: _____ Why Was Samak Disqualified? By The Nation The Constitution Court on Tuesday reached an unanimous decision of 9-0 to disqualify Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on grounds for conflict of interest relating to his involvement in two cooking shows. The high court ruled that Samak lost his job by an individual offence, hence although his Cabinet would face a mandatory removal, it could act as the caretaker administration pending the formation of a new government. Of the nine presiding judges, six said Samak's involvement as honourary show host has constituted a status as an employee of programme producer, Face Media Co. Three said his involvement could be interpreted as a business partner. The nine judges cited the intent of Article 267 of the 2007 Constitution for preempting Cabinet members, including the prime minister, from committing a conflict of interest. Under the provision, the legal definition of being employed or the status of employee is broader than that specified in the Civil Code and relevant labour laws. Evidence showed that Samak continued to host the two shows after he assumed office in February. Furthermore he received allowances, such as petrol expenses which could be construed as income earnings. And he got involved with the show which is a business transaction designed to seek profits.

Sometimes I have trouble trying to explain where I live too. In that situation I take my phone to a neighbor or nearby motorcycle taxi driver and ask him to do the explaining. That never fails.

Thank you very much, but that's not what we're looking for. I've been there a couple times. It's primarily seafood and, in my opinion, quite overpriced for what you get.

Some friends and I have been looking for a good Chinese restaurant in Pattaya. We are well aware of the Rice Bowl in the Marriott and the Chinese restaurant in the Montien Hotel, but we're looking for something a little more "mom-and-pop," at more "mom-and-pop" prices. So far we haven't had any luck finding anything. A couple nights ago we even ate dinner with a Chinese gentleman from Hong Kong who comes to Pattaya for months at a time. Even he can't find anything in Pattaya. Have any of you found a halfway decent Chinese restaurant?

I can't help you with Bangkok, but in case nobody responds I would still call Doon. Not that he is going to go to do work in Bangkok, but he may know good, reliable people in Bangkok. If he has a recommendation, that would be better than nothing. You might also see if you can find any Bangkok recommendations on the Thai Visa forum.

Maybe they're the ones who ate it. The photo is from THE NATION