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One of the most common topics of local discussion is the incredible building boom going on in Pattaya with no observable supporting infrastructure to accommodate it all. The streets are already so heavy with traffic that Pattaya is beginning to resemble Bangkok in that respect. Many streets are in desperate need of repair and nothing substantial is going on to correct the problems. Enormous amounts of money are being wasted on projects that seem to be of no value whatsoever to the local populace . . . just ego-satisfying projects for City Hall. Promised improvements only rarely seem to happen. One that has yet to come about is the underground system for the city's electricity. Nothing at all has taken place despite years of promises. I've lost count of how many times the streets and sidewalks have been torn up along Beach Road only to be torn up again less than a year later. The same goes for the median area of Sukhumvit Highway. Now a severe drought is predicted for Pattaya this year, as occurred in 2005. We're still getting water, but it is being rationed. In my area we get water for a few hours periodically. We never know when or how much we'll get. Nearly every house has installed water storage tanks and water pumps. Even with those, most people in my neighborhood have had to call in the water delivery trucks a few times already. The water trucks are quickly becoming a very common sight around Pattaya. Now, especially in light of the water shortage problems (and this is after City Hall boasted, only a few months ago, that the water problems have been solved for at least the next fifty years) the building boom is beginning to suffer. There are other problems as well, especially for "farang" buyers. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST. The article is about a recent meeting about these issues. As usual, plenty of people voiced their complaints, but few practical solutions were offered: _____ Reservoirs a Must for Developers Move to Solve Dry Season Shortages KANANA KATHARANGSIPORN Pattaya - New real estate projects in the resort city of Pattaya will be required to have their own water reservoirs to solve shortages during the dry season, according to Chon Buri governor Pracha Terat. He said provincial authorities would issue an announcement in the next few months requiring developers seeking construction permits to include details of plans for water reservoirs on their sites. ''The water shortage is a big problem in Pattaya that may retard the full development of Pattaya. This problem is more severe than any government policies that are currently a concern among foreigners because water is a necessity in any community,'' he said. Mr. Pracha urged not only real estate developers but also Pattaya residents to manage their water supplies better, especially storing rain during the six-month rainy season to use in the dry season. He made the comments on Friday at a real estate seminar entitled: ''Is the Boom Over in Pattaya?''. The event attracted high interest with 700 participants, more than half of them foreigners. The pending amendments to the Foreign Business Act have caused concern among foreigners, as the ban on using local nominees to acquire land and property will be enforced very strictly. A more pressing concern, though, is the growing water shortage in eastern Thailand, which has the potential to affect developments of all types, including industry in Chonburi and Rayong provinces. Supap Wade, the president and founder of the Eastern Brokers' Association, said that despite various concerns, real estate in Pattaya had been booming, with prices in some areas tripling from 2000 to 2006. ''In 1994, I found only six to eight real estate firms in Pattaya, but three years after that, the number totalled one hundred firms,'' she said. Housing, she said, was now available in all price ranges, with single houses priced anywhere between two million and 120 million baht a unit, and condominium units between 40,000 and 150,000 baht per square metre. ''But the boom seemed to slow down after the coup on Sept 19, the capital control announcement [on Dec 18] and the Foreign Business Act (FBA) amendments. If the government does not issue any stimulus measures, the Pattaya boom may be over,'' said Ms Supap. Kitti Patpongpibul, president of the Housing Finance Association, said the downward trend in interest rates this year would help boost the real estate market. Pattaya would have the most potential to recover due to its high purchasing power. ''A one percentage point decrease in interest rates would increase purchasing power by 10%,'' he said. Sophon Pornchokchai, managing director of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs, said the company's survey found 315 residential projects with a total of 40,466 units currently offered for sale in Chon Buri and Rayong. They are worth a combined 108.12 billion baht, ranked second only after Greater Bangkok. About 60% were booked. In the Pattaya-Bang Lamung area, there were 110 projects with 13,707 units worth around 65 billion baht. About half are sold. Fifty-six percent were condominiums and 35% were single houses. The largest portion of units are priced between three million and five million baht each. Mr. Sophon said the number of hotel, bungalow and guesthouse rooms in eastern Thailand accounted for 15% of total rooms in the country, following Bangkok which had 26%. The region has 51,520 rooms, second to Greater Bangkok. Among single provinces outside Bangkok, Chon Buri has the highest number of 36,306 rooms, ahead of Phuket with 31,351. Foreign participants at the seminar raised their concerns over the nominee issue and questioned how the government would inspect nominee firms, when the law would be enforced and what the punishment would be. One foreigner commented that the FBA amendments made foreigners feel like they were criminals despite the fact that they paid tax legally and had done nothing wrong. He said they legally bought residential units in consultation with brokers and lawyers. A British retiree said that Thais were discriminating against foreigners and the FBA seemed to be a racist practice. ''I came to Thailand with sincerity and want to spend the rest of my life here. My house was bought in the name of my Thai wife. This law makes foreigners feel like the enemy,'' he said. However, other participants said that if any foreigner had already complied with the law, they should not have any problems.

I just loved this one: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/...8a1b80dafdd.lpf _____ Snowballs - and an

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ AIRPORT FIASCO Govt urged to close Suvarnabhumi NLA Investigation Chief Cites Safety Fears in Calling for a Total and Immediate Shift Back to Don Muang The fate of the Bt150-billion Suvarnabhumi Airport hangs in the balance as an investigation panel is due to reveal the cause of damage to the taxiways and runways at the landmark transport hub. The government appears to be divided about whether the airport should be closed for repairs, amid fears that such a move could shake international confidence in the Kingdom's infrastructure. Admiral Bannawit Keng-rien, chairman of the National Legislative Assem-bly's airport committee, yesterday stood by his suggestion that the airport should be closed if both runways were damaged. "The closure would be for the sake of safety," Bannawit said. His committee was established to tackle the problems surrounding the flagship airport, which only opened in late September. Bannawit maintained his suggestion despite Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's insistence that the airport should remain open so as not to damage international confidence. It could stay open while repairs are completed, the premier said on Saturday. A panel headed by Tortrakul Yomnark will today reveal the problems faced by the airport, how the repairs should be conducted and whether closure is necessary. A civil engineer by trade, Tortrakul is a board member of the Airports of Thailand and his panel has conducted a technical assessment of the runways. Tortrakul's panel will report its investigation results to Transport Minister Admiral Theera Haocharoen before making the findings public. A source said the Tortrakul panel had found serious cracks on the taxiways, with further damage on the northern part of the east runway and the southern end of the western landing strip. The insider said the runway repairs could be made without disrupting flight schedules. "Services can alternate between the two runways," the source said. Krai Tungsnga, a member of the Bannawit panel, said the airport's problems were not serious enough to force it to close. However, Bannawit said yesterday that if Suvarnabhumi were closed, Don Muang would be able to accommodate flight and airfreight services. "I propose closure because it will prevent problems from dragging on," he said. Meanwhile, Thai Airways International's union has condemned plans to allow Bangkok to have two international airports. And Demo-crat Party's spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon urged the government to set up another committee to investigate Suvarnabhumi's problems. "A committee of experts should look at all problems, not just the taxiways and runaways. What about the water leakage, inadequate lighting and overheating in the terminal?" Ong-art asked. He said the government should act against those responsible for the airport's problems. __________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Dispute over Closing Suvarnabhumi (BangkokPost.com, TNA) The top legislator involved with Suvarnabhumi Airport refused to back down from Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Sunday, and repeated his belief that the troubled airport should be closed entirely during repairs to avoid inconvenience and risks to passengers. Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, chairman of the National Legislative Assembly committee inspecting problems at Suvarnabhumi, spoke a day after Gen Surayud publicly disagreed with a shutdown, citing a probable lack of confidence by foreigners. The prime minister on Saturday said he would prefer that the new airport, opened last September, remain open and functioning while the problems are being corrected. Adm. Bannawit was unintimidated by the high-level opposition. If both runways at Suvarnabhumi are damaged and repairs are needed, it will be too risky to continue operations, he said. He added that his committee had inspected damage at the airport and had prepared overseas and domestic terminals at Don Muang International Airport, closed since the opening of Suvarnabhumi, to provide services to passengers of low-cost airlines that were also willing to switch to Don Muang. Adm. Bannawit also said he would propose to the cabinet during Tuesday's session to allow low-cost airlines, domestic and overseas flights to use Don Muang if both runways at Suvarnabhumi are damaged and need repairs. Another committee initially found three major reasons causing damage to the airport. It said damage to runways and taxiways was caused by water in the sand layer, substandard materials used in the asphalt which weakened its strength, and hasty construction of the airport with an aim to beat the opening deadline. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) board is scheduled to meet Monday to decide how to handle the issue, but the decision as to whether the airport would be closed entirely during repairs will be made Wednesday, according to Gen. Surayud. Meanwhile Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Khlampaiboon said that his party recommends setting up a neutral committee to take part in making decision of what should be done to solve the problem. "If different agencies are allowed to keep viewing their opinions, more problems will arise," said Ong-art. The neutral committee should be composed of experts from different fields and their performance should be carried out with a definite deadline, Mr. Ong-art added.

As many of you know, among many others, a few months ago several of the gay Thailand web sites were suddenly and without warning blocked within Thailand. This occurred during the time Thaksin was still the Prime Minister and now there is more web site blocking than ever. My web site was the first of the gay Thailand web sites to be blocked. To this day I still have never been told why it was blocked and was never given any idea who I could contact to discuss it. All I ever knew was that I woke up one morning, with no prior warning, to find the web site blocked. I was never contacted or asked to change anything about my web site. They simply blocked it and that was that. The popular gay Thailand web sites are no longer blocked, but the current Thai government has seen fit to block many thousands of web sites, according to the publicity. Quite frankly I have yet to surf to a blocked web site and I have no idea which web sites are actually blocked. Of course, if you are outside of Thailand, then you won't be blocked. Are there any readers of this message within Thailand who still encounter blocked web sites? The present issue seems to be that there is no published criteria as to how the decisions are made regarding which web sites to block and no information as to who is actually doing the blocking and why. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ ONLINE CENSORSHIP 'Come clean on Internet interference' Pressure Group FACT Challenges the ICT Ministry to Explain Why it is Blocking Certain Websites Pressure against Internet censorship is mounting, and members of Freedom Against Censorship in Thailand (FACT) have asked the information and communications technology minister to come clean on blackouts. The group asserted that since the September 19 coup Internet censorship had increased 500 per cent. There are now 13,435 blocked websites. "The [ministry] blacklist and all other information relating to censorship is covered by a veil of secrecy," the group said. "FACT believes taxpayers have a right to know what goes on at every level of government. FACT believes the blacklist should be made public." Media-reform campaigner Supinya Klangnarong and Canadian-born Bangkok-based C J Hinke are leading members. The complaint to minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom was signed by 257 activists and 56 organisations opposing censorship from 19 countries. It demands answers to 20 questions about Internet censorship. FACT maintains no law in Thailand sanctions censorship. "Web censorship is being done illegally," it insists. FACT is seeking criteria employed in deciding if a site will be blocked. The group made a submission to the National Human Rights Commission on November 15. FACT asserts the ministry "has consistently refused to cooperate" with commission requests for clarification. "It's high time to lift up the rock under which bureaucrats at this maverick agency have long been hiding. It's time to end censorship in Thailand and pursue democracy," the group said in a statement. Pravit Rojanaphruk

In an earlier thread I posted an article that said several Thai provinces would be hit by a severe drought again this year, but that article didn't specify which provinces. Now, according to the following article, Chonburi Province (Pattaya's Province) is among the affected provinces. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Severe Drought Hits 16 Provinces Crops Under Threat Across Central Plains By Chinawat Singha A severe, ''third-degree'' drought has spread to 16 districts in nine provinces mostly in the Central Plains, according to the Land Development Department. The worst level of drought _ where moisture in the soil is so scarce that plants cannot transpire, causing ground temperature to rise _ has hit 60,053 rai of mostly farmland in 16 districts of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phetchabun, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao and Chonburi. The drought has threatened production of second-season rice crops grown where there is usually an abundant supply of water. The department has shown farmers outside of the stricken areas how to retain moisture in the soil to prevent the third-degree drought from expanding. Farmers have also been told to plant drought-resistant, short-life crops. In Phitsanulok, the provincial office will open drought-relief centres in nine districts as some residents in Bang Rakam district are being forced to drill an artesian well in the middle of the drying Yom river. Governor Pipat Wongsaroj said district chiefs were in charge of setting up the centres. Officials were gauging levels of water sources available to villagers for farming and consumption. He said in Bang Rakam, which is among the districts hit badly by drought, many water sources are still plentiful enough for use. However, Thong Thabplang, 64, of tambon Tha Nangngam in Bang Rakam district, said her village was facing a shortage of water for drinking and washing. Another resident, Vijit Bovornboonrit, 35, said he was afraid the young rice he planted could be lost because there is not enough water in the Yom river, one of the tributaries of the Chao Phraya river, to feed them. So much water had been diverted by upstream villagers that little had reached his area, he said. The river was drying even faster now that farmers were hurrying to pump what little is left of the water onto their rice fields, he added. Mr Vijit said that at the current rate farmers were pumping the water, he expected the river to dry up within three days. Some villagers thought they might have to dig an artesian well in the riverbed if necessary. The district is now faced with fighting drought after enduring almost three months of floods at the end of last year.

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The following appears in THE NATION: _____ A Dinner of Gastronomical Proportions Some of the world's super-rich yesterday evening spent Bt1 million each for food and drinks at Bangkok's luxurious lebua Hotel. Dubbed the most expensive commercial dinner ever organised in the Asia-Pacific, the event drew a total of 40 guests, including five locals and 15 paying diners from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and other Asian countries. "I couldn't reveal the guests' names, but we have two gaming tycoons, one based in Asia and the other in London. Other guests include wealthy businessmen in energy, infrastructure, real estate, investment and other sectors," said Deepak Ohri, the hotel's managing director, who hosted the dinner. The event, which started at 6pm and lasted past midnight, included a 10-course meal prepared by six Michelin-starred chefs from France, Italy and Germany, and a large selection of some of the rarest wines. Ohri said the hotel would donate the profits from the event to HM the King's Chaipattana Foundation and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). Ohri said earlier that there were as many as 8.5 million millionaires around the world who spend an average of US$224,000 (Bt8 million) per person per year on lavish events at hotels and resorts, so lebua Hotel had decided to tap this highly lucrative segment. He added that several of the 15 paying guests had arrived in Bangkok in private jets.

Dear Pattaya Area American Citizens, The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to inform you of upcoming Embassy consular visits to Pattaya. Staff from the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit will be available to provide consular services on the following dates and times: Pattaya

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ THAI to Transfer Most Local Flights to Nok Air AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Thai Airways International (THAI) will transfer most domestic services to its no-frills subsidiary Nok Air and focus on international flights in response to the government's policy to reopen Don Muang as Bangkok's second international airport. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said the board agreed on Thursday to transfer non-connecting domestic flights, which made up the majority of its domestic services, to Nok Air at Don Muang in order to minimize costs of the return of its domestic service to the airport. THAI will retain only domestic flights that connect with international ones for operation at Suvarnabhumi airport and will emphasize international services. Mr. Apinan said THAI's management will conclude the transfer plan after determining exactly which airlines will return to Don Muang. The plan will include aircraft acquisition for Nok Air, which is now THAI's ''fighting brand''. THAI vice-president for commerce Wallop Bhukkanasut said the government's policy to operate Don Muang for both domestic and international flights had prompted THAI to adjust its marketing strategy, especially to compete with no-frills Thai AirAsia which offers both domestic and international flights. Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines, said yesterday he would protest against the government's policy because it favored Thai AirAsia. He said he would investigate the shareholding and business of Thai AirAsia. Thai AirAsia reportedly plans to expand at Don Muang airport which is said to be more flexible for low-cost airlines. Civil Aviation Department director-general Chaisak Angsuwan said discussions with airline representatives on traffic sharing between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports had to wait for the conclusion of the plan to repair Suvarnabhumi airport. Tortrakul Yomnak, a board member of Airports of Thailand Plc, will announce this on Monday. Brian Sinclair-Thompson, chairman of Thailand Board of Airlines, yesterday called on the government to speed up its study into problems at Suvarnabhumi airport and come up with a clear time frame for the airport's repairs. ''We are confused by mixed information regarding the condition of Suvarnabhumi airport,'' he said. ''We don't know if the airport will be closed for repair and for how long. An accurate report is urgently needed to help the airliners make the right decision on whether they should return to Don Muang airport.''

Not all of the suicides are "jumper" suicides. There are all kinds of other suicides as well, but the "flying farang" suicides are certainly common enough around here. My all-time favorite Pattaya suicide must have happened at least ten years ago by now. That's the one where a body was discovered in the bay with hands tied behind the back and feet weighted down. The police ruled it a suicide. Ok . . . .

We haven't had a "flying farang" story for a while, but we've sure got one now. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Suspected Suicide of a Swiss Man at Pattaya Park Details of a suspected suicide were received by us on Friday Morning which apparently took place at Pattaya Park in Jomtien. The victim is Mr. Elamer Zanner aged 49 from Switzerland. We inspected his body at the local Morgue which was in a state consistent with a fall from a considerable height. We understand the man jumped off the top of the Pattaya Park Tower at around 4pm on Thursday Afternoon. Police tell us they have recorded the death as a suicide but are unsure of any motive as the man was alone. Checks are now being made on the deceased man in cooperation with the Immigration Office. __________ And this, from the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ SWISS TOURIST LEAPS FROM ROOF OF PATTAYA PARK BEACH RESORT Willi Elmar Zahner (49), a Swiss national leapt to his death from the 56th Floor (the roof) of Pattaya Park Beach Resort on February 8th at somewhere round about 5 pm, slightly before the roof was closed to spectators. Police Lieutenant General Apimook Amnardmankong from Dong Tarn Police Sub Station was the senior officer who attended the incident, along with a doctor from Banglamung Hospital and the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Team, after having been notified of the suicide. They inspected the roof which has the famous Sky Jump, though Mr. Zahner had merely leapt from the roof, not the Sky Jump. Following this, they went to examine the body which had landed in the car park though he had missed falling on top of any of the cars. Mr. Zahner had died instantly upon reaching the ground and had broken virtually every bone in his body. On his person, they discovered his passport, a pack of cigarettes and a 200 Baht ticket for sightseeing from the top of Pattaya Park Beach Resort Tower. The hotel security officer pointed out that Mr. Zahner had not been a guest at the hotel, but had merely come to sightsee. The hotel security officer said he had seen Mr. Zahner earlier, about 4 pm, and he had had a long face, obviously being highly concerned about something. The Swiss person had not spoken to any of the other spectators on the rooftop, which had few spectators at the time, between 4 and 5 pm. The hotel security officer said one minute the guy had been standing on the parapet, near the edge, the next he had dived off as though he had been a competitor in a diving competition. The police do not know any details of the dead man apart from his name and nationality and have no idea what impelled him to jump. Ever since it was built, Pattaya Park Tower has been a favourite jumping platform for farang suicides. The police are pursuing their enquiries regarding this case.

This little get-together has even managed to make CNN news (via Reuters): http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/...reut/index.html _____ Bangkok Banquet Raises Eyebrows POSTED: 0451 GMT (1251 HKT), February 8, 2007 BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) -- A $29,000-a-head gourmet dinner in Bangkok is making some Thais feel a bit sick. Fifteen international high-rollers from the world of real estate, casinos and shipping have already booked seats for Saturday's black-tie dinner, which comes with a price tag of 1 million baht ($29,240) -- plus 17 percent service and tax. "It's an absolute waste of money," said 48-year-old Sommai Promjan, who makes a living selling ice-cream from a street cart near the neoclassical State Tower that will host the event. "You could buy a house with that." Organizers of "Epicurean Masters of the World II", designed to promote Thailand as a destination for the mega-rich with profits going to charity, are not naming their guests. Six three-star Michelin chefs from France, Germany and Italy, and some of the world's finest wines, were flown in specially for the 11-course extravaganza at the rooftop Mezzaluna restaurant. However, locals think the gourmets are being taken for a ride, saying everybody knows the best food in Thailand costs just 30 baht and is cooked in a wok welded to a street cart and served at a fold-up metal table on the pavement. "It's all the same. Chicken is still chicken, pork is still pork. They may have lobster, but we have prawns," said Pornpilai Chareonsimaporn, who runs an eatery in State Tower's shadow. "The only thing they're paying for is some fancy table decorations," the 42-year-old said, ladling out helpings of spicy green curry onto a plate of steamed rice. Mezzaluna manager Deepak Ohri defended the all-European menu and said it was impossible to start making price comparisons. "We are not selling a meal -- we are selling the whole experience. You cannot put a value on the experience," he said. However, many locals are unhappy, especially because of the dinner's apparent clash with the philosophy of moderation espoused by revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej which the leaders of last year's coup against billionaire Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra promote heavily. To counter such criticism, Ohri said all profits from the dinner would be going to Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Chaipattana Foundation -- a rural development charity set up by the king to promote his "sufficiency economy" way of life. That 1 million baht, 11-course menu in full: Creme brulee of foie gras with Tonga beans 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal

I'd love to be one of the waiters. Can you imagine how much the tips must be? Well, according to an article in today's BANGKOK POST, the dinner is already fully booked. You missed your chance, guys. I wonder, if someone can't finish it all, if it's appropriate to take the rest home in a bag. Here's the article: _____ Million-Baht Dinner is Booked Out (BangkokPost.com, AFP) Foodies are flying in to Bangkok from far-flung corners of the world this weekend to experience a scintillating 11-course gala dinner - with a one-million-baht ($29,000) price tag. And there won't be a hint of Thai food on the fine china. Only the most well-heeled food and wine connoisseurs are expected to take a seat at the exclusive table in the Thai capital, where the feast will be prepared by six Michelin three-star chefs from Europe. "We limit at 40 seats, and right now it's fully booked," said Kanokrat Petchpornprapas, a spokeswoman for Mezzaluna, the 65th floor restaurant holding the event at the luxurious The Dome at State Tower Hotel on the Chao Phraya River. Diners are coming from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East to feast on dishes concocted from some of the priciest ingredients in the world, she said. Alongside the foie gras, Kobe beef, Beluga caviar, black truffles and guinea fowl, the restaurant will serve a different wine with each course, including a 1955 Chateau Latour and a 1967 Chateau dYquem. Notably absent from Saturday night's menu is Thai cuisine, renowned for its fiery flavours. Organisers say that is because they are hoping to inspire Thai chefs with the best food from other parts of the world. Among the chefs whipping up the cuisine are Heinz Winkler from Germany, Antoine Westermann from France and Annie Feolde from Italy. Much of the proceeds from the extravagant meal - which costs more than twice what the average Thai office worker earns in a year - will go to aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and Thai development charity the Chaipattana Foundation, founded by His Majesty the King

The following article doesn't tell us which provinces are expected to be drought-plagued this year: _____ Severe Drought Forecast for 18 Thai Provinces CHIANGMAI, Feb 8 (TNA) Thailand's Department of Water Resources has forecast that 18 provinces across the nation will face drought, or at least a severe shortage of water, particularly in areas outside the irrigation service, according to Director General Siripong Hungspreug. Mr. Siripong said that after the department evaluated the water situation all over the country, it estimated that during the coming dry season, the areas outside the irrigation service in 18 provinces would experience the water shortage and drought. The affected provinces would scatter all over the country including the provinces in the southern region which had never face water shortage before, he said. However, he expected that the degree of harshness would be similar to last year crisis, the Director General said. After the floods over vast areas last year, many weakened dams and reservoirs were repaired in time to restore greater volumes of water for use during the dry season. To prepare for the crisis, the department is coordinated the agencies concerned to distribute water to areas experiencing water shortfalls and launched a campaign to promote the more efficient use of water resources, he said. (TNA)-E003

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Democrats: Why Did Thaksin Hire Firm? Democrat Party executive Korbsak Sabhavasu yesterday called on the United States to clarify its position on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who has recently hired a powerful lobbying firm, in which former Secretary of State James Baker III is a senior partner, to monitor Washington's policy towards the military-backed government. The lobbying registration on the US Senate website confirmed that Thaksin had hired Baker Botts LLP, with an effective date of December 11, 2006. Baker was the US Secretary of State during the Bush Snr administration. American Ambassador to Bangkok, Ralph Boyce, downplayed the hiring of the firm, saying lobbying firms and the US government are two separate entities. "Anybody has a right to hire a lobbyist. It is a transparent system in the US. It has to be registered. So far, this has nothing to do with the US government," Boyce said. Other officials said Thaksin's hiring lobbying firms in the US might be a big news story in Thailand, but in Washington DC, such a move is a "non-issue". According to the registration, Baker Botts was hired to help "develop and implement a strategic approach to the various international legal and political issues that confront Dr Thaksin as a result of the coup of September 19". "The firm will monitor the evolution of US policies towards the interim government in Thailand or the Administration's position regarding attempts by Dr Thaksin to return to Thailand and may subsequently undertake contacts as necessary to ensure that such policies remain consistent with those currently in place." Speaking to the media, Korbsak questioned Thaksin's true intention with the hiring of the Baker Botts lobbying firm. In the registration form under "general description of client's business or activities" Thaksin was described as "the freely elected Prime Minister of Thailand". Thaksin's lawyer in Bangkok, Noppodol Patama, was quick to remind Korbsak that he had left out the word "deposed" in reference to Thaksin. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinond, meanwhile, said the government was not in a position to call on Baker Botts to deny their service to Thaksin. "It is the right of an individual to hire a lobbyist," Kitti said, adding, "I believe that the US will continue its good relations and co-operation with Thailand." Thaksin has jolted the political leaders in Bangkok with his relentless attacks against the military-backed government and the junta that ousted him. Besides Baker Botts, Thaksin has also hired Barbour Griffith and Rogers LLP. According to the US Senate lobbying registration, the firm was hired to "Provide guidance and counsel with regard to Mr Thaksin's interest in Washington, DC, and abroad." He has also enlisted Edelman, a public relations firm, to handle his international publicity, resulting in numerous interviews with the international media, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Time Asahi Shimbun, the Kyodo News Agency and a string of others. Thaksin earlier this week said he would give interviews to the Thai media but reversed his decision yesterday, his lawyer Noppodol said. Thai publications had been considering whether to dispatch senior reporters and editors, especially those critical of Thaksin, to interview him. Noppodol did not explain why Thaksin has reversed his decision. In an interview with Al Jazeera television network broadcast on Tuesday, Thaksin called on the junta to end their rule. "They have to return power to the people. They cannot hold power forever," Thaksin said. The former premier said the coup had divided the Thai people and he vowed to help reconcile their differences. Thaksin, who led Thailand for six years, was accused of being grossly corrupt and divisive.

I use Firefox most of the time. Whatever the problem is, it's not Firefox. I just tried the bankofamerica site and got through immediately. If it helps anything, I use TT&T's "Maxnet" as my Internet Service Provider, which can be arranged in their shop on the second floor of Carrefour. It costs 1000 baht per month for their 1024/512 speed service. I never seem to get as much speed as that, but I do average over 800 most of the time.

I certainly wouldn't. The advertised price is $29,000. I say it's not worth a dime over $28,000.

Well, one thing is clear: If you really do need root canal treatment, then the hospital sure has plenty of experience . . .

http://www.xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=19494 _____ Bahraini Lawmakers to Punish Porn Downloads With Jail Time By Michael Hayes Tuesday, February 6, 2007 MANAMA, Bahrain

BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) Thailand's government in its weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday agreed to reopen the former Don Muang airport for both domestic and international flights, making it an additional international airport to supplement the problem-plagued new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet resolution to let Bangkok have two international airports is to cater for growing number of passengers. During this time Don Muang airport must be readied as another international airport, the prime minister said, without giving further detail. The former facility was decommissioned as Bangkok's primary airport in September when Suvarnabhumi was opened with a capacity of 45 million passengers a year. But cracks in the new airport's runways and taxiways prompted the Transport Ministry to recommend to reopen Don Muang airport temporarily for non-connecting domestic flights to ease the burden on the new airport. Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said the detailed plan to transfer some flights as well as moving facilities back to the old airport will be concluded within two weeks before presenting it for the cabinet's consideration. Forty-five days after the cabinet's consideration, Don Muang airport is expected to resume operation, the minister said. (TNA)-E009 __________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Don Muang Returns as Int'l Airport AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK ANUCHA CHAROENPO The government has decided that Don Muang will be re-opened for international flights, operating in conjunction with Suvarnabhumi, to ease air traffic congestion at the new airport where some facilities will be closed for repairs. It tentatively set the reopening to be in effect within 45 days, with details to be worked out by the Transport Ministry. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont after the cabinet meeting yesterday, goes beyond the position of the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT). The two agencies had wanted Don Muang to service only domestic flights which had no direct connections to overseas routes. Gen Surayud said the closure of some facilities at Suvarnabhumi could cause it to become overcrowded as the number of passengers passing through has been mounting. Suvarnabhumi was built to handle 45 million passengers a year. The ministry's projection for its first year was 40 million. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said Gen Surayud was the person who suggested that the cabinet consider reinstating Don Muang as an international airport. Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen expected it would take about two weeks for the authorities to decide which airlines should move back to Don Muang, which currently serves only charter flights. Don Muang serviced almost 39 million passengers a year before the capital's airport was moved to Suvarnabhumi on Sept 28 last year. Built to be a regional aviation hub to rival airports in Singapore, Malaysia and even Hong Kong, Suvarnabhumi is now plagued by a host of problems, including cracks on its runways and taxiways and lax security. A source in the ministry believed Thai Airways International (THAI), the national carrier, would be required to remain at Suvarnabhumi. Other airlines would make decisions based on their business interests. AoT acting president Kulya Pakakrong said the airport agency, which is under the ministry, will benefit from the relocation, as it could delay the costly construction of a new terminal for low-cost carriers at Suvarnabhumi. Don Muang airport director Pinit Saraithong said he was awaiting a clearer direction on the airlines and the number of passengers to be diverted back to Don Muang so he can judge the right number of staff and amount of equipment whichwill be needed for the reopening. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said the airline will review its operational plans and accommodate the cabinet's decision. Executives of low-cost airlines yesterday welcomed the cabinet's decision. Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines, which runs the One-Two-Go budget carrier, said his airline was willing to return to Don Muang. He expected several other airlines would also want to move back to the old airport, but warned that it could lead to confusion among passengers. Two other budget carrier CEOs, Tassapon Bejleveld of Thai AirAsia and Patee Sarasin of Nok Air, also said that they were ready to move back to Don Muang. Mr Tassapon added that his airline earlier asked the government to relocate low-cost carriers back to Don Muang. Nevertheless, Sopin Deangteth, president of the Airlines Committee, said she did not want Bangkok to have two international airports as it would confuse passengers and cause inconvenience if those at one airport had connecting flights at the other. The transportation facilities linking Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi were not yet ready to serve passengers who need to travel between them, she said.

About a year and a half ago I posted a news item that said Thailand was going to build a highway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. The present road between the two cities is a beautiful drive, but quite difficult for the driver because of the long stretches of snaking, narrow mountain roads. It takes a good six to seven hours to make the drive. According to the following article, the proposed highway has been scrapped due to the cost and now a cable car system between the two cities is proposed. I know very little about cable cars. Does a cable car system 120 kilometers long, approximately the same as the distance between Bangkok and Pattaya, seem like a practical idea? The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 120km Cable Car for Chiang Mai A cable car style project has been proposed in order to bypass 1,000 curves on the route between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. The project, proposed by a foreign investor, is to build a 120-km-long cable car system from Chiang Mai to Pai, the top tourist destination in Mae Hong Son, and to the town of Mae Hong Son, the provincial governor Direk Konkleep revealed in a local radio broadcast yesterday. "The province is a popular tourist destination, but transportation is too inconvenient. This project would help tourists and be good for the province's economy," Direk said. The system would transfer passengers to Mae Hong Son town with a fare of Bt500-700 per person. If approved, the construction would be started this year and take three years to finish. The investor is sending engineers to survey the route this week, Direk said. "We are making the improvement of transportation a high priority because tourism in the province is growing as is cross-border trade." Poonsak Soonthornpinijkij, president of the Mae Hong Son Chamber of Commerce said he agreed with the idea, as it would ease transport problems in the province. However, the project has to be eco-friendly so that it does not have any harmful effects on the environment and natural surroundings. "If the benefits exceed any drawbacks, I will support the project." Visutr Buachum, head of Mae Hong Son's tourism coordination centre, also supported the idea, saying that it would attract moretourists to the province as cable cars would be a better way to transfer passengers than for them to travel by aeroplane. Previously, the province, together with the Highways Department, had pushed for the construction of a 175-km-long road between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Samoeng. But the project did not materialise because a study found the project would cost around Bt15 billion. Another plan to build a cable-car system to the Phu Kradung plateau in Loei caused some controversy when local conservationists protested against it.

I agree with Kregger on this one. Despite the horror story that happened to you, splash4, it is quite rare to be ripped off like that and put through that kind of harrowing treatment. Next time, I would refuse to give a deposit or give no more than 100 baht. If they refuse, find another taxi service. Your hotel can usually recommend someone reliable. Another suggestion: Many people spend their final night in Bangkok. That way they are sure of being able to get transportation to the airport. Also, it avoids the problems that can occur if there is a traffic jam between Pattaya and the airport. Traffic jams are a common occurrence on these roads and can happen even in the dead of night.

If that has been your experience then why continue going to a hospital for dental work at all? I use a dental clinic that I would highly recommend to anybody. My father was a dentist, so I have a pretty good idea of what to look for. I have been very satisfied with the Modern Smile clinic on Central Road (Pattaya Klang). They have a web site at http://www.modernsmiledental.com . Next time you need a dentist in Pattaya I think you will be as satisfied as I am if you decide to give them a try. There are several dentists in that clinic. The dentist I use is Dr. Boonta. She has been great and very thorough. Only this morning I had an appointment with her. She showed up just as I did. She did her work with me and the next thing I knew, she was leaving when I was leaving. I asked her if she had come in just for me. She said yes. This was actually a day off for her, but since I already had an appointment she came in to take care of me. I asked her why she simply didn't have someone call me to change the appointment to a different day. I said it wouldn't have mattered to me and if I had known I could just as easily come in on a different day. She said it was no problem for her and she didn't want to inconvenience me. Now, that's what I call service!

I use Skype too when I talk with friends and family outside of Thailand. Of course, if they also have Skype, it's free. My connection is almost always crystal clear and just as good, and most of the time actually better, than a telephone connection. It is also compatible with web cams so we can see each other. It's the best communication program I've ever found. If you want to download Skype, it's free. The URL for it is http://www.skype.com

Thank you for posting this. I'm not familiar with either of those bars. At some point I'll go and have a look. In the meantime, can you give us any details about them?