Gaybutton

I love it! Perhaps you remember the old television comedy, "Maude." In one episode Maude and her husband Walter check into a lakeside hotel with an urn containing her uncle's ashes. The uncle had requested his ashes to be scattered over the lake. While Maude and Walter are out, the room maid, without realizing what is actually in the urn, flushes the ashes down the toilet. When Maude realizes what happened, she says to Walter, "Well, at least he made it to the lake."

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ National Railway Strike Looms as Union Suspends Most Services By The Nation Published on August 29, 2008 Railway union workers have staged a strike to show support for the protestors at the Government House, starting with a rail service stoppage at the Nakhon Rachasima in the Northeast and Nakhon Sawan in the North. Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of Thailand at Nakhon Rachasima, said yesterday that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, submitted their leave starting at 5:00 pm, thus paralyzing all the train service from the Northeast to Bangkok. He said the union workers in Nakhon Rachasima along with the union workers elsewhere have already submitted their leave. Effective today, all the trains going into Bangkok will suspend their service because of the strike. The Nakhon Sawan train carrying cargo and oil stopped service at 4:00 pm, while the Kaengkoi, Saraburi service also ceased the service at 5:00 pm. Sathorn warned commuters not to board the train from Bangkok to the Northeast as they will be left stranded along the way. Nakhon Rachasima is the rail juncture to the Northeast. The railway union workers' strike is aimed at showing support to the protestors in Bangkok, who have taken over the Government House over the past four days. Sathorn said the union workers' welfare have never been looked after by the government and that they are concerned about the security of the protesters inside the Government House, who might be stormed by the police. Local police at Nakhon Rachasima, the largest province of the Northeast, interrogated the labour union workers about the strike, but the labour union workers told them that they had no intention to destroy the government properties as claimed. Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Union, said the work stoppage is part of a civil disobedience against the Samak government. "Over the next two days, things would become clearer over the extent of the railway strike. In principle, we would like the strike to affect the commuters minimally. Most of the long-haul train will suspend its service, while the shorter routes might continue their service," he said. Sawit said the railway union workers will consult with the electricity and water labor unions over further strike to deprive the government of their service.

The PAD protesters have begun to flex their muscles with the police. The sympathetic railroad strike is now in effect and nobody seems to know how long that will last (see "Railroad Trains to Halt Service Throughout Thailand" thread for the latest information). Nobody seems to have any idea how long the protest is going to continue, when it will end, or how it will end. For whatever reasons, in my opinion the protesters are deliberately trying to provoke the government into taking violent action. The whole thing reminds me of "Seven Days in May," when President Lyman finally confronts General Scott and accuses him of trying to stage a coup. At first General Scott denies any such thing, but he finally loses his temper and admits that's exactly what he's trying to do. The President loses his temper too and reminds the general there is a political system in place if he disagrees so strongly with the government policies. He tells the general that if he wants to become president himself, instead of resorting to aggression and violence, "Then by God run for office!" The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Shoving Match (BangkokPost.com) Latest Protesters armed with clubs pushed and forced police off the grounds of Government House early on Friday morning as a senior PAD member threatened to make demonstrations "more aggressive". The 1am confrontation ended with 400 police retreating to the street after being threatened by demonstrators armed with sticks and golf clubs. After their muscle-flexing "victory", the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters celebrated by dancing to rock music. "We can relax now, but please be cautious, they might return soon," a protest organiser told the gathering, now in its four day of occupying Government House, despite a court order to leave. The PAD protest aims to throw Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government out of office. One of the top alliance leaders, retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, said on Thursday night that the "legal" protest would continue to no matter what the court ordered. He is one of nine leaders sought for arrest by police. He insisted the protesters were doing nothing wrong. He stated: "We are staging a protest because the government has made too many mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country. From now on, it will be stickier. Our political rallying will get stronger because more of our supporters from upcountry will come to help us. We will not back down." His successor-in-waiting - ready to take over if police actually arrest Maj-Gen Chamlong - said on Thursday he will step up the protest and get more aggressive. Former commander of the Internal Security Operations Command retired but influential army Gen Panlop Pinmanee appeared to issue a direct threat to the government: "Go tell Mr Samak if he is brave he must over the arrest of Maj-Gen Chamlong and the other core leaders and disperse the protest. "Once the arrests are made, I will volunteer as the next leader in lieu of Chamlong as we have made some commitments. As a friend, I will pursue his goal. I need only two days and everything will end. "In this situation, Maj-Gen Chamlong or Samak cannot take a step back. There must be a breaking point, otherwise the country will become disheartened. If we want to remove an abscess, we must be ready to face pain to get rid of the infectious part." Gen Panlop is generally known as the foremost expert and practitioner of dirty tricks in Thailand. He was fired by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra two years ago after a bombing attempt on the life of Mr. Thaksin. Although he denied any involvement in that incident, Gen. Panlop openly bragged that "If I were behind it, the prime minister would be dead".

Apparently this will last at least two days, but nothing in either article says how long this will really go on. It may only be just the a couple days or it may be a lot longer than that. I have no idea. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Trains to Stop Nationwide as SRT Unionists Join Protest Train services are expected to come to a halt tomorrow morning (Friday, August 29) as part of the protests against the government by employees of the State Railway Authority. A 45-year-old SRT worker in Nakhon Si Thammarat said the unionists have coordinated with SRT workers nationwide to carry out the civil disobedience against the government. He said officials in charge of train services, such as drivers and engineers have submitted their leaves since Thursday. He said trains that leave main stations will stop at the first sub-station, and thus will block all the routes and paralyze the services nationwide. The Nation ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Trains Halt BangkokPost.com Railway workers on Thursday began a sick-out and announced that all train service to the North and Northeast will halt at midnight on Friday, causing disruption to commuters and tourists to support the anti-government actions in Bangkok. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union, in an announcement late on Thursday said employees "are not ready to work," a move that will cause severe problems for workers and foreign visitors, as well as movement of goods. Latest reports say train services from Taphan Hin in Pichit would stop at 5am on Friday. The chairman of the SRT’s labour union in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Sathorn Sinpru, said almost 100 engine drivers, usherettes and repairmen have taken sick leave for at least two days, reasoning that they are not happy with their work. He said if they are still not ready to work after two days, the sick-out could prolong as their performance could cause dangers. Members of the SRT’s labour union took part in the mass rally led by the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Government House. The reason behind the SRT’s halt of operation could be the government’s provision of free transport for the protesters who wish to return home. As of Thursday evening, five scheduled trains from Bangkok to the Northeast failed to leave the station, deputy governor of the SRT Thawin Sarmnakorn said in a television interview. Mr Thawin said he has ordered substitutes to replace the staff who have taken leave, but the number of the substitutes is inadequate for all the services to fully operate. He added that he plans to hold talk with SRT staff on Friday to prevent the suspension of train services in other regions. The discontinuation of rail services will first of all affect more than 1,000 Ayutthaya workers who depend on the train to get to work in Bangkok every morning.

All I know is that Thailand recently started allowing people to make a living will. That's not the problem. The problem is getting a Thai doctor and/or hospital to honor that will. It is my understanding that most Thai doctors and hospitals refuse to honor the living will and they're going to keep you alive as long as possible whether you want that or not. It might be a good idea to discuss that with various hospitals. If you find one that will honor your wishes, then it is also probably a good idea to let your friends in Thailand know which hospital is your preference in case something happens to you, if that would do any good. It still makes no sense to me that you have no real say-so as to what is to be done with your body after your death. As I said above, I could understand if whatever you want done is unfeasible for any reason, and then start worrying about a next of kin, but they just won't do it that way. I wonder what the embassy does if there is nobody for them to contact. Can you imagine that? You know you are about to die and you have no idea what's going to be done with your body. Maybe they'll give it to a vendor and he can try to sell it at the beach. My preference is for mine to be cremated in the usual manner at Pattaya's Wat Chai. If for some reason that can't be done, then maybe someone can arrange to do what George Carlin recommended: Just have my body blown up. That way, anyone who wants to drop by can view the explosion and say, "There he goes . . . . ."

Probably the best set of movie reviews, show times, etc, is Thomas Ohlson's weekly movie reviews, which he sends out, usually on Thursdays, every week. I have attached an example of what he sent out this week. To subscribe, just send him an Email and ask to be placed on his weekly Pattaya movies mailing list. He also does a similar list for Chiang Mai. I don't know if he does other cities in Thailand, but you can ask. To subscribe, contact him at: thomasohlson@hotmail.com

Attorneys for the PAD have filed an appeal to the eviction set by the lower court. Thirty Thai senators have stated that treason charges would be too harsh and are not appropriate. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD Appeals Court's Eviction Order (BangkokPost.com) - At 3.20pm Thursday, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s lawyer Suwat Apaisak appealed the Civil Court’s injunction, ordering the anti-government group to move out of the Government House and surrounding roads. The injunction was filed against the five PAD leaders, including Sondhi Limthongkul, Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaikul and Somkiat Pongpaiboon, and its coordinator Suriyasai Katasila by government lawyer Methee Jaisamut on Wednesday. Mr Suwat also sent his clerk to the Criminal Court on Thursay afternoon, requesting the court to provide the details of the arrest warrants for the PAD’s nine key members who were charged with rebellion and rebellious attempt, organising gatherings of 10 or more people to incite civil unrest and defying police orders to disband. At the same time, lawyer Methee filed another injunction to the Civil Court to appoint legal execution officials after the PAD failed to obey the court’s order by remaining at the Government House and surrounding areas.

Thai Police Won't Use Force to Crack Down on Protesters: Police Chief BANGKOK, Aug 28 (TNA) - Police will not use force to disperse or arrest the nine core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have been served arrest warrants, but will use a "tender approach" and negotiation to deal with the PAD supporters, according to national police chief Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters led by the PAD remained inside the premises of Government House for a third day Thursday morning despite court orders for them to leave and give way to traffic. Gen. Patcharawat said the authorities would not raid the government compound but will wait for the nine PAD core leaders to present themselves. There was no deadline set for the surrender, he said. Until now police had taken no action despite having arrest warrants for nine PAD leaders on charges of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government, and the court's injunction for the PAD activists to move out of Government House. Thailand's Civil Court granted an immediate injunction ordering all PAD demonstrators to move out of the Government House compound in Bangkok and end road blockades, to allow cabinet members access to Government House. If they did not, police would have to enforce the court order. The PAD leaders, however, vowed to stay put and would file an appeal to the court order on Thursday. The five PAD leaders are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, Gen. Chamlong, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and the PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila. The other three persons are Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananond and Therdpoom Chaidee, who led PAD stalwarts in Tuesday's raid on the state-owned NBT television station. The PAD leaders were charged with rebellion and rebellious attempt, organising gatherings of 10 or more people to cause public disturbances and defying police orders to disperse. However, no untoward incidents and no acts of violence were reported during the night after the Civil Court order was obtained by the police at about 10pm Wednesday to compel the protesters to leave Government House immediately. The court also ordered the anti-govt coalition to dismantle platforms and barricades earlier set up inside Government House and give way to traffic at and around Government House. Police, equipped with batons and shields, stood on alert inside the Govenrment House premises while PAD leaders Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul told the protesters, most of whom gathering about the lawn just outside the Thai Khu Fa building to stay. Gen. Chamlong and the other PAD leaders sat on the lawn encircled by their followers, including middle-aged women with their ''guards'' forming an close entourage around them, some reportedly from the Santi Asoke religious movement. The former deputy prime minister and former Bangkok governor said he would not resist arrest by the police following the Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants for a total of nine PAD leaders Wednesday afternoon. The arrest warrants were issued primarily on grounds of state rebellion committed by the PAD leaders. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana, who met with senior police officers at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police barely a kilometre away, urged the anti-government protesters to follow the court orders by leaving Government House immediately. However, the interior minister, asked by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to take full charge of the situation at Government House, said he will not use force to put the court orders and arrest warrants to work. The police earlier suggested that the protesters return to Makkhawan Bridge nearby where they had gathered in bid to press the Samak government to resign en masse since May 25. (TNA)

I'm having difficulty making sense out of this. The part that's on my "I Don't Get It" list is the fact that it seems like no matter what you do, your next of kin makes the ultimate decisions. Why? Why can't your own will and/or specified wishes take precedence over leaving the decision-making up to your next of kin? I could understand if the policy was that your own specified wishes take precedence unless there is something unfeasible about your wishes. In that case, that's when your next of kin would take over the decision making. Why is it not done that way? Also, there is an apparent assumption that you even have a next of kin. Suppose you don't? What happens then? Who makes the decisions? I am also curious as to who decided it should be done this way in the first place. Is this strictly embassy policy, designed by the embassy, or is this a standard State Department policy. The embassy statement says, "By law, the Department of State cannot carry out instructions on the disposition of the remains until we have received the required funds." Why can't funds be either sent or placed in some sort of an escrow account, available to the embassy, prior to your death, so that your own wishes can be guaranteed?

That's a good idea, but I would still recommend that you check with the embassy and find out if they will honor that letter. Based on what I was told they won't, even if the embassy notarizes it. Bear in mind that I spoke with only one embassy official, but he was the chief of American Citizens Services at the time. It sounds just like Thai banking. One branch tells you one thing, and another branch tells you something entirely different. Meanwhile, none of us really knows or has assurances about just what the embassy will actually do. I think what we need to find out is whether an actual policy exists, or better still a written policy about this sort of thing. If there is one, we need to obtain a copy of it. Right now, as it stands, we're either guessing or taking the word of an embassy official. It seems to me it would stand to reason that there must be some way of guaranteeing that our individual wishes will be honored.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for PAD's Nine Leaders By The Nation They are Facing Life Imprisonment or Capital Punishment, if Convicted People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House. Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents. The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said. The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee. The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities. If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PAD's Protest Activities Disapproved by Majority More than 70 percent of the people condemned the People's Alliance for Democracy for its Tuesday's protest activities, Bangkok University Poll said on Wednesday. Almost 73 percent voiced disapproval for blockading main roads linking Bangkok to the North, the Northeast and the South. About 71 percent said they disagreed with the raid of the NBT station. And 68 percent said they found it unacceptable to lay siege at Government House and ministries. The Nation

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Police Wait Court Decision on Arrest Warrants By The Nation Police are waiting for a court decision on their proposal to issue arrest warrants for the People's Alliance for Democracy's co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House. Police provided to the court video footage of the incidents. The warrants would cite serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said. The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee. If the Court decided to issue the warrants, they will be charged with storing weapons or people as an act of treason; or committing other offences as part of a plot of treason or instigating the general public to join in the act of treason. The penalty will be a jail term of between three to five years ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Protesters Clash with Police BangkokPost.com Some 10,000 PAD supporters remained in the govt compound Wednesday morning with 15 protesters slightly injured in pre-dawn clashes. Hundreds of riot police reportedly clashed with PAD protesters briefly when they were changing shift inside Government House at 3am Wednesday. Police later backed off from the confrontation and established themselves inside the compound. According to PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, injured protesters had cuts on their arms and heads. Despite the clash, the protesters stayed in the compound in an attempt to force Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and cabinet members to resign. "If we leave before this government resigns, that means we are defeated," PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang told supporters. Hundreds of riot police remained in their positions around the compound in the morning. "We will not disperse the crowd, instead we want to negotiate," Deputy Police spokesman Maj Gen Surapol Tuanthong said. Police investigators, meanwhile, headed to the Criminal Court to ask for arrest warrants for six key PAD members. It is expected that the court would issue the warrants today.

In Pattaya I recommend Rachain Kluanklard. The contact information is as follows: A.C.E.S. Advisors Co., Ltd. 15/35 M. 5 Naklua Banglamung Chonburi 20150 Telephone: 038-411 127 Fax: 038-425 109 Email: aces@loxinfo.co.th They speak English and they do respond to Email. The location is in the Balcony Restaurant, top floor. Don't confuse that with the Balcony Pub in Bangkok. Those are two different places and the only similarity is the name. That's on North Road (Pattaya Nua), near the Tesco-Lotus. The reason they're in the same building as the restaurant is because Rachain owns the restaurant. I also recommend, as does Luvthai does, that you contact your embassy, not only for a list but also for information. When I asked the USA embassy about it I was told that whether you have a Thai will or not, the embassy contacts your next of kin and all decisions are up to your next of kin. You might want to double check that or ask your own embassy if you are not a USA citizen.

There is one, kinda-sorta. I wrote that the rumor mill predicts a coup within a week. So, I guess the poll refers to the week, which means that if a coup has not ocurred by Wednesday, September 3, that's about where this poll would end.

That's for sure! Of course, there was a mess prior to the coup too. The current government is trying to seize Thaksin's money. Do you wonder, as I do, if they do seize it, how much of it will actually be used for legitimate purposes and how much will end up in certain pockets? I agree that another coup could severely hurt the tourism industry, which seems to be in dire straits already. You know the tourism industry is in trouble when even the T.A.T. (Tourism Authority of Thailand) admits that tourism is down by 30% this year. And if they admit to 30%, then I'll bet it's actually down a lot more than that. If you were a tourist planning a stay in Bangkok, would you come now or would you cancel your reservations and go elsewhere? I'm not sure why you think one result might be more restrictions on foreigners. I would have thought the opposite would be more likely simply because Thailand's tourist industry is in so much trouble and if there is another coup, especially if it gets violent this time, the situation would become far worse than it already is. Of course, there is still Pattaya, if people are not afraid to at least get as far as the airport. I think Pattaya would be much more attractive to tourists, coup or not, if they would end this imbecilic 1:00AM bar closing rule.

Rumors are floating around, including from among many Thais, that yet another coup is highly likely and will probably occur within a week, despite what the military is saying. I would think the military would deny that a coup is about to happen whether one is in the works or not. I'm wondering what some of you think. I almost never post a poll, but I'd like to know what our web site visitors think. Feel free to comment as well.

The following is the latest, from THE NATION: _____ Police Back Off from Confrontation with Protesters At 6 am Wednesday, commando police pulled out of the Government House compound, backing off from confrontation with protesters there. Protesters at the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge started moving to join the protesters inside Government House after the police forces left. The Nation __________ Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Promises not to Break up Rally Pol Maj Gen Suchart Muenkaew, deputy metropolitan police chief, told protesters that some 1,000 commando police entered the Government House's compound to change shifts with police stationed there. He said policemen, who have been stationed inside the Government House compound, have been working non-stop for over 24 hours. He said police did not intend to break up the rally and arrest the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy. The Nation __________ Our Tolerance is Limited: Samak Published on August 27, 2008 Samak said he would starve out the PAD protestors occupying the Government House's compound and insisted that he would employ "soft and gentle" tactics in dealing with the demonstrators. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday warned protesters his government's tolerance was drying up, but he fell short of saying what action authorities would take to end the street protests. Samak assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Watana to handle security and oversee police efforts. "I was granted an audience with His Majesty the King. His Majesty asked me to enforce the law with extreme caution, to be soft and gentle. I beg all of you to understand and sympathise with me," Samak was quoted by an official source as telling the Cabinet. Samak accused the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of going too far with its mass protest in Bangkok yesterday, including the seizure of state-run National Broadcasting Television and some ministries. Speaking to foreign reporters early yesterday evening, Samak said he would starve out the PAD protesters occupying the Government House's compound and insisted that he would employ "soft and gentle" tactics in dealing with the demonstrators. He said no food would be permitted to enter the compound and that more officers from outer provinces would be deployed to Bangkok to help with maintaining security. Samak said other options, such as the Emergency Law, could be used but expressed concern that such approaches could tarnish Thailand's international standing. He told foreign correspondents at the press conference that the protestors wanted the government to "spark" violence so the military could stage a coup. "They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out to stage a coup," Samak said. He said the mass protest, which drew tens of thousands of people to street, were the work of about five of six leaders from the PAD who also succeeded in luring people form upcountry to part in the demonstration. Samak said the PAD leaders had grievances with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who he said had "returned a little too early" because the sentiment against him has yet to subside. According to him, the leftover anti-Thaksin sentiment, as well as the government's decision to amend the Constitution, was the reason behind the PAD's continuing with the street protest. Samak said he was on good terms with everybody, including the military and the monarchy and insisted that he was not a proxy of Thaksin or receiving funding and instruction from the ousted premier - a claim that has long been dismissed by the PAD and his critics. He confirmed that the "From National Mother's Day to National Father's Day - 116 days to Built Unity" celebration, which HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over on August 30, will go ahead as scheduled. Concern over his personal safety has the police from Lat Phrao station boosted the number of guards at Samak's home in Soi Navamin 81 amid rumours the PAD might go to the PM's house. Cabinet ministers were forced to shift their weekly meeting place from Government House to the Supreme Command headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road, at 10.30am. However, it took about two and a half hours for Samak to make that decision.

Things are expected to come to a head regarding the Bangkok protests. The following two articles appear in THE NATION: _____ Samak Issues Ultimatum to PAD By The Nation Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej warned protesters on Tuesday that his government's tolerance is drying up but fall short of saying what actions he will take. Samak assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Pol Gen Kowit Wattana to handle the security situations and to oversees the overall police operation. Samak acccused People's Alliance for Democracy of crossing the lines with its mass protest in Bangkok Tuesday that included the seizing of state-run National Broadcasting Television (NBT) studio and some ministries. His government's tolerance has nearly come to an end when the PAD-led protesters stormed into the Government House on Tuesday afternoon. He warned that if the PAD co-leaders still continued their cross-the-line movements, his government is still have many procedures and mechanism to handle the situation. He mentioned about the emergency laws but said that is another steps. He warned protesters to go home and go back to their families if they did not want to face legal action. He thanked Bangkokians for not joining the protest. But for people from up country who joined the protest, the prime minister said they were lured to join and should go back home. He also said he will take legal action against PAD's leaders who impolitely criticised him on the stages. He said all were recorded and they will surely be faced legal action. __________ Police Order Protesters out of Government House by 6pm Police ordered protesters who are now in the Government House to leave the compound by 6pm or to be removed. Deputy police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Surapol Tuanthong told reporters, "The protesters must leave the government compound before 6:00pm, otherwise they will be asked to leave." "They have caused disorder and breached the law." The order came after Police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Pol Gen Kowit Wattana. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has assigned Kowit to handle the protests which was led by People's Alliance for Democracy. The protests seized many government agencies including the Government House.

As of noon today, the Bangkok protest marches are starting to become quite dangerous. The Bangkok Post reports that Thai stocks are falling sharply in the wake of the political upheaval. So far, neither the British or US embassies have issued any strong warnings. The only warning so far has come from the British embassy: The English language press have posted several articles: __________ From the BANGKOK POST: _____ Military Figures Meet to Discuss about Unrest (BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shifted the weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday to the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters after supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) blocked roads around the Government House. Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit and chiefs of armed forces reportedly attend a separate meeting at the same venue to discuss about the political unrest. It is still unknown whether the military figures will meet with the ministers as anti-government protesters rallied at important venues around the capital. Meanwhile, a group of protesters gathered in front of the Metropolitan Police Bureau to demand that authorities release about 80 group members who were arrested for invading the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) television station in the morning. Police, however, revealed that they were already moved to Border Patrol Police bureau. __________ From THE NATION: _____ Protesters Storm into NBT Station on Vipavadi Road By The Nation Electricity at NBT Cut Off, All Broadcast Programmes Suspended Protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy managed to break police corridor to enter compound of the National Broadcasting Television on Vipavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday. Some 2,000 protesters pushed the entrance gate where police line tried to push back. Finally the protesters managed to push down the gate and entered the compound. The electricity was cut off, resulting in all programmes to be suspended at 8.30am. NBT station's acting director Suriyong Huntasarn said the protesters are now in the station's compound but has not yet entered the buildings. Suriyong said most of the station's staffs already left the station. The protesters started gathering in front of the station at about 6am, making police to seal off some roads leading to the station. Suriyong said it was not the station that cut off the electricity. He is talking with police in order to control the situation. Earlier protesters block entrance of National Broadcasting Telelvision station on Vipavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday. Police detained on Tuesday a group of protesters who tried to seize an NBT television station on on Vipavadi Rangsit Road. The attempt took place at about 5.30am when there are a few staffs of the NBT at that moment. The group, comprising about 60 men, covered their faces with black pieces of cloths and dressed in black t-shirt and jeans. Two NBT television hosts said in a news television programme at about 6.10am that police found a handgun and long knives from the group. The group also broke a glass door in their way to go to the station's building. They separated into several groups and went into the station. NBT staffs were told to leave the office. Police are interrogating the group. Police brought the protesters who had weapons into 3 trucks to a police station while searching for protesters who might hide in the office. Main protest will go to the Government House where Samak Cabinet will meet in its weekly meeting. _____ There Will Be No Coup : Gen Anupong By The Nation The Army gave an assurance on Tuesday that it will not stage a coup following the chaos caused by protests against Samak Government. Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda insisted the army will not intervene into the situation. The army chief was speaking after the protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy stormed and seized National Broadcasting Television office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday morning. The general asked people not to be panic and spent their lives as usual. The main protest is at the Government House where tens of thousands of protesters surrounded the venue. The cabinet meeting has to move from the Government House to Supreme Command headquarters on Chang Wattana Road. The meeting is scheduled to start at 10.30am. Meanwhile an informed source said that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej left his residence at about 8.30am to unknown place. The source said Samak reportedly telephoned to Gen Anupong to check the situations from time to time. PAD-led protests have scattered around the capital. One is at the police headquarter and others at ministries of Transportation, Agriculture and Cooperatives and Finance. __________ From TNA _____ Anti-Govt Protesters Storm NBT Television Station, Halt Broadcast BANGKOK, Aug 26 (TNA) - Hundreds of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators broke through the closed gates of the state-run NBT television station and stormed into the premises, halting all programmes, as other groups of the PAD rallies at Government House and the Ministry of Finance to press the government to resign. After breaking through the NBT gates, the protesters poured into the premises and seized the station. The government-sponsored channel was airing its morning news programme showing the moment the protesters stormed into the station, for a moment only, as the station went off the air. Earlier in the day, before dawn at about 5 am, a group of people raided into the station to try to gain control of the facility. Police eventually regained control of the building and arrested 80 of the raiders. Police also seized guns, knives, golf clubs and mild drugs from the trespassing protesters. Meanwhile, Sondhi Limthongkul a core leader of PAD announced at the so-called democracy movements main protest venue at Makkawan Bridge on Ratchadamneon Nok Road that the anti-government protesters had already taken control of the NBT television broadcast facility and that more PAD supporters were heading to join the group at the government television station's compound. Hundreds of anti-government protestors also rallied at Government House and blocked all gates to its premises in an attempt to bar the Samak government's ministers from attending the weekly Cabinet meeting. The protestors also staged a demonstration at the Ministry of Finance and the Agriculture and Co-operatives Ministry, where the PAD has reportedly taken over the premises and asked the civil servants and senior officials to stop working. (TNA)

For the past several days the baht has been weakening against the US dollar. I didn't say anything about it until now because I wanted to wait and see if the rate would really reach 34 baht to the US dollar again. As of this morning it has! The opening rates were posted only five minutes before my post and the rate opened at exactly 34 baht to the US dollar. It's been a long time since we've seen that and the trend is likely to continue. We'll see. Tuesday, August 26 Opening rates: _____ US Dollar: 34.0 Euro: 49.935 British Pound: 62.715 Australian Dollar: 29.07 Canadian Dollar: 32.205 __________ Closing Rates: _____ US Dollar: 34.04 Euro: 49.62 British Pound: 62.475 Australian Dollar: 28.885 Canadian Dollar: 32.195 I will post again if there is any significant movement.

Today is the big day for the major rally. At the time I am posting this, it is only 7:45am and already trouble has started. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ "Them or us" Nattaya Chetchotiros and Pradit Ruangdit The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is betting its future on Tuesday's showdown with the government with confidence that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet will be toppled. Calling today's showdown "the last whistleblow", Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the PAD leaders said: "If we fail this time, we'll quit and surrender the country to them. When people don't care about us, we won't have to care about them. Let others take over the country." But the group, which has staged the protest rally since May 25, will face defiance from the prime minister, who refused to bow to any move outside parliament to force him to step down. The government came to power legally and the only way to remove it from power should be through parliamentary means, Mr Samak said. "As prime minister, I am duty-bound to keep law and order in the country. Demonstrations must be kept within legal limits. If they go beyond those limits, the law enforcers will take action," Mr Samak said. Mr Sondhi expected 300,000 PAD supporters to turn up today but police estimated the rally would draw only tens of thousands. The PAD's strategy is to paralyse the administration and the country. It includes the seizure of Government House and all ministries along Ratchadamnoen avenue , disrupting two airports in Phuket and Hat Yai, and blocking roads, according to Mr Sondhi. "Today's protest is an extraordinary one. We will do everything possible to make sure the state mechanisms stop working. But we will not do anything to cause trouble to the people," Mr Sondhi said. A unit of about 100 Arintharat commandos have now been sent in to secure Government House. Mr Samak called the PAD's actions unreasonable and said they could hurt the country's economy. "People have started to panic. This is too much. But I will try my utmost to be patient," he said. He confirmed that the cabinet meeting would proceed as usual today despite the rallies and denied suggestions the government would resort to violent means to break up the rallies. Jatuporn Promphan, a People Power party MP, ridiculed the PAD's claimed final campaign, saying it was simply an attempt to make an early exit from their activities. Metropolitan police chief Pol LtGen Aswin Kwanmuang said police would not block protesters' movements and would help manage traffic flow. "Police units will be in place to facilitate movement, not to break up the rally," Pol Lt-Gen Aswin said. Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Surapol Thuanthong said the national police chief has told officers to be patient in the face of the demonstrations. Special Branch police chief Pol LtGen Thiradet Rodphothong said people from Chon Buri would form the largest number of demonstrators in Bangkok. The protest would be joined by 2,000 to 3,000 staff of the Provincial Electricity Authority, according to Phien Yongnoo, chairman of the labour union of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority. But Sirichai Mai-ngam, chairman of the labour union of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, said the PAD leaders have not yet approached them to join today's protest. "We will wait to see the situation before making any move," he said. ____________________ Earlier Report: (By BangkokPost.com) Tens of thousands of demonstrators assembled on Monday for "one last protest march" to block highways, Bangkok streets and access to Government House to try to force Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government out of office. Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have vowed to block major roads leading to Bangkok while PAD demonstrators in Bangkok plan to lay siege to Government House. The demonstration may focus on Government House, in attempt to force a confrontation when Mr Samak and ministers hold their weekly cabinet meeting. Retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, core leader of the PAD, called on anti-government demonstrators from everywhere to gather at Makkawan Bridge at 7am on Tuesday to begin moving to Phitsanuloke Road "to lay siege at Government House". The bridge has been the street headquarters of a 24/7 PAD protest since May 25. Mr Samak, in a strongly worded statement broadcast live on NBTV from Government House, called for the public to exercise discretion and pledged security forces would try to prevent violence. Mr Samak said: "The movement tomorrow should be abide by the laws.... If it goes beyond the boundaries of the law, police will handle it. "This government comes from legal elections. If someone want to overthrow the government, they should ask parliament. "About cases in the court process: If I have to quit, I will quit.... I am confident whatever happens, I can accept it. Whatever happens, it will not affect this country." The prime minister asked the PAD not to resort to violence, saying that the government will itself exercise restraint and try its best to maintain law and order. He vowed to take legal action if the PAD goes beyond the limits of the law. He also vowed that "a cabinet meeting will be held as usual tomorrow" (Tuesday). He pleaded for public "help to take care of the country," and asked them not tosupport a group of people who have been campaigning for the overthrow of the government. PAD members from Bangkok and the 14 southern provinces began to assemble at a gateway to the South on Monday afternoon. PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, said, via satellite-based ASTV: ''I'm making one last call for people in the North to come down and the South to come up. We'd like to ask people in every sector to come out. ''We ask you to trust us, the PAD core members.'' Protesters said they will seek to block main roads from the North, Northeast, eastern provinces and the South. If there is any resistance or clashes, "reinforcements" will join the battle. Politicians from all sides rallied around the government. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition and Democrat party leader, said he believed Mr Samak would not resign and he did not see why the prime minister would yield to the PAD’s demands. "The government has not done anything wrong or malign to the country," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said the government believes the PAD will not go beyond limits and bring the country’s administration or economy to a halt by laying siege to Government House or blocking roads in all regions. Maj-Gen Sanan warned the PAD to be careful, saying certain elements could stage an untoward incidents to incite unrest and a coup. The prime minister said he is ready to accept the outcome of all legal cases against him and vowed not to cause any damage to the country, adding that he is ready to leave his post through the right channels, not by pressure from any group. In his statement Mr Samak also strongly criticised the media for having too pessimistic an attitude against him. Late Monday afternoon, PAD supporters had arrived at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge from the provinces to prepare for the Tuesday rally. Pol Lt-Gen Aswin Kwanmuang, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said police will be deployed to provide security, maintain law and order and facilitate traffic flow. The police will not obstruct the PAD march, which is expected to be peaceful he said. Supachai Jaisamut, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said the ministry has coordinated with the Royal Thai Police Office and other security agencies to ensure law and order. Authorities concerned will not obstruct the PAD march, he said. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ Protesters Try to Seize NBT Station on Vipavadi Road By The Nation Protesters Block Entrance of National Broadcasting Telelvision Station on Vipavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday. Police detained on Tuesday a group of protesters who tried to seize an NBT television station on on Vipavadi Rangsit Road. The attempt took place at about 5.30am when there are a few staffs of the NBT at that moment. The group, comprising about 60 men, covered their faces with black pieces of cloths and dressed in black t-shirt and jeans. Two NBT television hosts said in a news television programme at about 6.10am that police found a handgun and long knives from the group. The group also broke a glass door in their way to go to the station's building. They separated into several groups and went into the station. NBT staffs were told to leave the office. Police are interrogating the group. One of them was Nitirat Sapsomboon. Police brought the protesters who had weapons into 3 trucks to a police station while searching for protesters who might hide in the office. Main protest will go to the Government House where Samak Cabinet will meet in its weekly meeting.

Certainly the bar boys are tired of the raids. Few of the bar boys enjoy working in the bars in the first place, but I'm not so sure you're going to see any kind of a bar boy exodus. They work in the bars primarily because it's an easy job, requiring no education or marketable skills, requires only a halfway decent body and a willingness to expose it publicly, and provides them with a means of earning more money than they can get any other way. I don't think they're going anywhere because there's really no place for them to go. I think they'll continue to tolerate the raids and all the other indignities they have to endure because if they quit, most have no opportunities at all other than working at menial jobs for more than twice as many hours for far less money. Either that, or go back to where they came from. Not too many want to opt for that because they don't relish the idea of living and working in poverty on the rice farm. Also, there is the factor of the ingrained obligation to send money to mama. Working in the bars may not be an enviable way to make a living, but it still beats almost anything else they can do.

Then it sounds like the original story I heard was at least close to correct. No bar raids, but a hunt for street kids and drugs. Well, good! If the police can do their job without harassing the bars and customers, that's a positive thing, in my opinion.

It looks like both Tuesday and Friday this week will not be the best days to be trying to get around or go sightseeing in Bangkok. Both groups are planning a major rally in Bangkok, but the time and place of each rally has not yet been announced. For those of you who have upcoming embassy business, it might be a good idea to try to take care of it on days when there are no marches planned, as far in advance as is feasible. You never know when the next march is going to take place. It would cause you major complications to put off embassy business until the last minute if you find that because of these marches you can't even get to your embassy. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PAD Plans 'Largest Ever Rally' on Tuesday By SUNDAY NATION Published on August 24, 2008 Chamlong Srimuang, a core leader of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said yesterday the group would stage its "largest ever rally" on Tuesday. It wants to oust the Samak Sundaravej administration, which it regards as corrupt and a proxy of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Chamlong urged PAD supporters to join the protest on Tuesday morning at 7am but refused to say to where the demonstrators would march. He insisted the PAD was not calling for a coup and added that even if it did the military would not comply. The PAD leadership will inform demonstrators on Tuesday morning where they will march. Sites have been targeted, especially the proposed Parliament building at Kiak Kai, a project that he described as "a waste of money". He insisted that the demonstrators would not besiege Government House. The march will be peaceful and will not destroy public property. Chamlong denied that Tuesday's gathering was a way to end the marathon rally, now reaching 90 days. He added that the group's leaders were not seeking any political gain either, because "we're not politicians". The rally, he said, would continue until the government resigned. He defended the move as better than "analysing politics on a daily basis". Chamlong denied a claim by deputy government spokesman Nattawut Saikua that there had been conflict within the PAD, saying the rally would not have lasted 91 days if conflict truly existed. He added that he was confident police would keep pro-Thaksin supporters - who will also hold a rally on the same day at Chatuchak Park - at bay. Meanwhile, Pracha Prasopdee, People Power party MP for Samut Prakan, questioned the PAD's motive, saying that perhaps Chamlong or Sondhi Limthongkul wanted to become prime minister. Pracha added that if the PAD wanted to support opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as PM, then Abhisit should appear at the PAD rally. Many pro-Thaksin, anti-coup groups such as Saturday People Against Dictatorship, taxi-drivers and White Doves, will meet, discuss the situation and hold a press conference on Tuesday. They expect to hold their own rally at Sanam Luang on Friday.