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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Film Festival Postponed Until July KONG RITHDEE The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has decided to postpone the Bangkok International Film Festival from next month to July 2007, TAT announced yesterday. It cited the recent decision of a potential cinema venue not to proceed with further discussions with TAT because of financial considerations as the main reason. Last year the festival took place at Paragon Cineplex of Siam Paragon shopping mall. According to TAT, every Bangkok multiplex expects to reap big business from the Jan 18 release of MC Chatrichalerm Yukol's ''The Legend of King Naresuan'', and is reluctant to spare screens for the festival. Originally, the festival was scheduled to take place from Jan 29 to Feb 5. TAT last month cancelled a contract with the American firm which ran the festival for the past four years. In an unexpected move, the tourism board has invited Kriangsak Silakong, director of the competing World Film Festival of Bangkok, to serve as the festival's interim director

While Pattaya is enjoying some of the finest weather we've had in quite some time, other areas of Thailand are not so fortunate, as the following article by TNA illustrates: _____ Three Provinces Declared Disaster Zones Due to Strong Waves SONGKHLA, Dec 22 (TNA) Four-metre (13 ft) waves in the Gulf of Thailand pounding several coastal areas prompted three Thai southern provinces -- Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat -- to declare disaster emergency zones along their shorelines. Songkhla governor Sonthi Thechanun has declared coastal areas in two districts -- Ranod district and Chana district -- as disaster zones following powerful waves hitting the shorelines there. The local meteorological department forecast that strong winds and rough seas in the Gulf of Thailand would continue through Saturday (December 23). Songkhla's head of the disaster prevention and mitigation said that the pounding waves damaged 15 seafront houses and a road in two districts. Agencies concerned will build temporary shoreline breakwaters to prevent more damage. In Surat Thani, four-metre waves washed away 22 houses in a fishing village in Tha Chana district and about 50 people became displaced. Five metre waves and rough seas continued on Friday. Surat Thani governor Niwat Sawatkaew is cooperating with local military units to help evacuate people in 150 village households to safe areas. A sandbag embankment was built as a breakwater and a school in the village closed indefinitely until the situation returns to normal. In Donsak district, surging waves damaged eight houses, leaving 30 villagers homeless. The governor has declared Tha Chana district and Donsak district disaster zones and ordered all small boats anchored. In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the 54 kilometre shoreline from Huasai district to Laem Talumphuk in Pak Phanang district is also a critical area, following high waves that smashed the shores and caused inundation in the two districts. (TNA)-E004

Best of luck to you and to whoever ends up with Niddy's Nook. One question . . . what about your service that provides a means for "farang" to be able to send money, at an excellent discount, to their Thai boyfriends? Will that continue at least until the restaurant is sold? Do you have plans to continue offering that service after the restaurant has been sold?

I'm glad you at least managed to get the call through after all the frustration. I hope things go smoother for you from now on.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Details of the Pattaya New Year Countdown 2007 Released The New Year is now just over one week away and one of the highlights on Pattaya

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I don't understand what you mean by, "did not response over claiming." In any case, I hope you give the restaurant another try. I think the majority of people who have been there feel as I do, that it is an excellent restaurant. I once had a bad experience at Lux'or, but that doesn't mean it's not a great restaurant. It is a great restaurant, but there are nights when everything just goes wrong, and that sometimes happens to every restaurant.

I wonder if those who felt I was wrong about suggesting a caning for this guy still feel the same way, in light of the article Wowpow posted. I don't know about you, but given a choice between a caning or 75 years in prison, I'd say a sore ass would be the better choice. Thailand does not take kindly to this sort of crime and I would guess that also applies to prisoners. Unfortunately for this person, I don't think he'll have to worry about 75 days in prison, much less 75 years, once the other prisoners realize why he's there. My guess is he's in for an experience, to put it as mildly as possible, that few would envy. In any case, in Thailand you do not . . . repeat: do not deliberately insult His Majesty the King. What on earth possessed this man to do such a thing goes beyond me.

Many of you know Hugh Millar from the days when he was a manger at The Ambiance. Many of you also know that when the Mata Hari restaurant moved from it's prior location to the new Jomtien location, Hugh took over the premises and created the Symphony Brasserie. As the review explains, Hugh has dropped the 'brasserie' part and it is now the Symphony restaurant. I can't recommend the restaurant highly enough. Hugh does a marvelous job there at very reasonable prices. The food is always excellent, beautifully presented, and the service is superb. If you have not tried the Symphony restaurant, then you are missing a wonderful dining experience. You can read the review at: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/dining.shtml

What do you think is going to happen with the exchange rate? With all the publicity about the Bank of Thailand's recent interventions and the Thai stock market crash, I was expecting the baht to take a very hard hit. It hasn't happened, at least not yet. At the moment of posting this message, the exchange rate 36.29 baht to the US dollar. That certainly is a difference since only a short time ago, the exchange rate nearly went below 35 to the US dollar. But from all the publicity I was expecting the baht to weaken considerably more than it has. I thought we might be seeing exchange rates getting close to 38 or 39 to the US dollar as a result. What do you think is going to happen? I'll start off by saying I think the baht will weaken slightly more, and then stabilize. I don't foresee the baht falling below 37 to the US dollar any time soon.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Monday is D-Day for Struggling Elite Card CHATRUDEE THEPARAT The future of the Elite Card, a pet project of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra intended to attract affluent tourists, is expected to be decided on Monday. Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani will be presented with two options for the future of Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), the government-owned company set up to market the Elite Card. The first option is to dissolve the company and the second is to continue it but with a clearer financial plan and closer supervision by the ministry to ensure that it could generate income. However, dissolving TPC could be risky as the government could be sued by existing cardholders, said Seri Wangpaichitr, a former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor who sits on a committee that's evaluating several projects initiated by the former government. TPC was set up to sell and manage memberships of the one-million baht Elite Card that promises a wide range of lifetime privileges to well-heeled tourists. Holders receive fast-track immigration clearance, multiple-entry visas and discounts at hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, golf courses and more. Mr. Thaksin gave the company a target of one million members by 2008, but so far only 1,734 cards have been sold. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) owns 100% of TPC with registered capital of 500 million baht. TPC's four authorised agents will hold a press conference today on the company's performance and marketing plan for 2007 to 2010. According to a source familiar with the venture, the agents would call on the government to continue TPC, saying they have already conducted marketing activities in several countries. They projected that within three to five years, the company would play a significant role in promoting the Thai tourism industry, generating both direct and indirect investment of up to 15 billion baht.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Don Muang May be Re-Opened: Official The government is considering reopening Bangkok's old international airport, just three months after it closed to make way for the much-heralded Suvarnabhumi airport, an official said Thursday. Chiaisak Angkasuwan, director general of the civil aviation department, said there was a chance commercial flights would resume at Don Muang airport because of unsolved problems at Suvarnabhumi, which means 'golden land' in Thai. "We are considering reopening Don Muang airport as problems at Suvarnabhumi airport have yet to be resolved due to poor management," said Chiaisak. "Don Muang could be reopened for domestic flights and those of low-cost airlines, but I could not say when," he told AFP. The decades-old Don Muang closed its operations on September 28 when all commercial flights moved to Suvarnabhumi airport, which the government boasted would be Southeast Asia's largest aviation hub. But almost three months after opening, the new airport has lingering problems led by inadequate bathrooms and seating areas, dirtiness and safety concerns for female flight attendants, who have complained of sexual harassment by construction workers at the site. Low-cost airline operators have asked airport officials to let them move back to Don Muang, saying the new airport has become congested and their costs rose after relocation to Suvarnabhumi. Agence France-Presse

Well, BKKvisitor, please let us know. Were you finally able to get your call to go through?

Property purchases have been declared exempt from the new rules. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ FOREIGN INVESTMENT BOT Steps Could Lead to Pull-Out Upside is a Badly Needed Weakening of the Baht: S&P While controls on short-term capital inflows in Thailand have succeeded in stemming further speculative inflows, they could also trigger a pull-out of foreign funds already invested in the Kingdom, says a report published today by Standard and Poor's Ratings Services. Entitled "Capital Controls Come at a Cost to Thailand", the report also reveals that the country's new capital controls have spawned tighter domestic financing conditions, harmed the Bank of Thailand's reputation, and made investors cautious. "Foreign investors will now be far more wary of investing in Thai financial markets," said Standard and Poor's credit analyst Kim Eng Tan. "This will lead to higher funding costs in the Kingdom, with negative implications for the prices of debt and equity assets. "Although this should not harm Thai economic prospects in the near term, it could adversely affect domestic investment if planned government capital spending leads to the reappearance of current account deficits. This is because such deficits would increase Thailand's reliance on foreign financing." The Bank of Thailand's latest controls initially triggered a wave of volatility across Asian financial markets, accentuated by the seasonally low liquidity in most financial markets as traders closed their books for the year. The disruption came at a time of significant concern regarding near-term market conditions, with an expected slowdown in global economic growth in 2007 Nevertheless, although the losses in Thailand outpaced those of elsewhere, most markets have since recovered. Moreover, the implementation of capital controls in Thailand is unlikely to heighten perceptions of risk in Asian markets, as financial market volatility is likely to dissipate in the short-term unless the region suffers another significant negative shock or abrupt policy adjustments, said S&P. "Barring a further significant negative shock, the volatility in Asian financial markets should subside in the near term," said Kim Eng Tan. "The healthier external balance sheets of both Asian central banks and corporations also make the recurrence of a 1997-type financial crisis unlikely. Asked to comment on the S&P report, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula dismissed the notion that the S&P might have lowered the rating of Thailand. "Normally, the credit-rating agencies would assess an incident in a country. It would not affect the credit rating of Thailand. The measure had a short-term impact. S&P also urged Asian governments to balance their instincts against exchange rate volatility and appreciation, as well as the need to focus on the fundamental determinants of competitiveness. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiamras said the coordination of policy might be difficult to be realised because each country has to take care of itself. He added a decision to adjust credit rating would certainly affect the cost of businesses in raising funds. S&P gave Thailand's foreign currency a rating of BBB+ (long-term) and A-2 (short-term), while the local currency rating is rated A (long-term) and A-1 (short-term). The long-term rating outlook is rated stable. Some foreign investors yesterday pulled their money out of the country after Black Tuesday. The baht fell against the dollar, closing at 36.42-44 from Wednesday's 35.80-90. Demand for dollars yesterday increased as foreigners reduced portfolios in the Thai equity bourse and Thai importers bought dollars as they were afraid of the weaker baht. But, on the other hand, some exporters are satisfied by an appropriate rate of exchange and have sold out their foreign-currency incomes. BOT governor Tarisa Watanagase said the weakening baht was caused by foreigners selling out Thai stocks. This was in line with the central bank's purpose to halt the rapid appreciation of the baht. Earlier, the baht had rapidly headed north no matter which direction the dollar moved, while other Asian currencies have shifted in a reverse path of the dollar. "The measure helped to break the one-way direction of the baht and the momentum has already ceased. The baht is not weakening too rapidly now. We continue to closely monitor it," said the governor. Aside the action of foreign investors, the weak baht was also a result of importers' purchases of the dollar for goods and service payments. But the demand for the dollar was not too high, said Pongpen Ruengvirayudh, the BOT's senior director of the Financial Markets Operations Group. Tarisa believes some foreign investors, who have already sold out Thai stocks, continue to park their money domestically and wait for the proper time of the bourse to recover. She had a talk with a long-term foreign fund operator, which was satisfied with the drawback policy and decided to maintain its money in the Kingdom The governor said that the efficiency of the reserve requirement measure would be apparently seen at the beginning of next year because the market turnover was currently too thin to reflect the actual transactions due to the holiday season. Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand also issued an announcement on their website on December 21 stating that property including land and condominiums is exempt from the reserve requirement on short-term capital inflows. Foreign purchasers of condominiums can bring funds into Thailand to purchase condominium property. According to a major local bank, foreign condominium purchasers should clearly state the project name and unit number when remitting funds. Aliwassa Pathnadabutr, managing director of CB Richard Ellis Thailand, said that the company welcomes this clarification, which means that foreign property purchasers are not affected by the new regulations. "We believe that this will reassure existing and potential property purchasers," she added There are still many foreigners who want to purchase condominiums in Thailand both to live in and as long-term investment. The rental market remains strong and the prospects for capital appreciation are good for projects in locations with limited supply and a scarcity of development sites. The negative impact on the real estate sector following currency controls recently introduced by the BOT has become evident. A number of foreign investors planning to conclude major acquisitions in the Thai property market before Christmas have immediately put their plans on hold, says Longlom Bunnag, chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle. Foreign investors' sentiment and confidence were negatively affected by the BOT's action on currency controls. Though BOT announced that the currency control measure would not apply to foreign investment in the property sector, this has apparently failed to restore the confidence of foreign investors in the Thai property sector. "All overseas investors who we are dealing with in the process of acquiring property in Thailand have immediately ceased their plans and applied a 'wait and see' approach. Though we believe that these investors remain keen to invest in the Thai property market, it will likely take some time before foreign investment activity in the market resumes, at least until the Thai government finds out how to reinstate foreign investors' confidence," said Longlom. Some foreign investors who are less concerned by the BOT's action have also held on their investment decision, waiting to see where the Thai currency is going. "If the baht currency is weakened by the BOT's measure, this means foreign investors will pay less for the assets they plan to acquire in the Thai property market," Longlom added.

CORRECTION: I made a mistake. The dialing sequence I posted was 011-66-4-765-4321. It should be: 011-66-84-765-4321. I forgot that it is now mandatory to include the 8. (Thank you Jimbkk for letting me know).

First, after you dial the 011, which means you are placing an international call, followed by the 66, which is Thailand's designator, you do not dial 08. Leave off the 0. If you are getting a busy signal, then yes, the line is busy. It may not be necessarily his line that's busy, though. Thailand has more people with mobile phones than the system can handle, so it might be a system busy signal. Believe me, we often have the same frustrations right here when trying to place a local call, especially when it's night in Thailand. Quite often even here you have to dial several times before the call goes through. Even then, it's quite common to get cut off right in the middle of the call. Thailand's phone system could do with some updating, to put it mildly. Keep trying. The dialing sequence I posted is correct. You'll eventually get through, assuming he has not turned off his phone, or lost it, or sold it.

If the number you are dialing is something similar to this: 04-765-4321, then from the USA the dialing sequence would be: 011-66-4-765-4321

Actually, yes you can. Give this a try next time: when you are on one web site, go to the top left of your screen and click on FILE. Depending on the browser you're using, the pop-up menu that will come on screen will have a selection that allows you to open a new window. If you select the option to open a new window, that's exactly what will appear on your screen . . . a new window. You can use that new window to access other web sites. The window you had been working with will still be there when you're done.

Closing rates:Thursday, December 21: US dollar: 36.19 Euro: 47.61 British pound: 70.99 Australian dollar: 28.2675 Canadian dollar: 31.3375

It all begins at 8:30 PM. The Throb and Splash bars in Pattayaland, Soi 3, are hosting a "Thank You," including a free buffet, beginning at 8:30 PM and all new shows beginning at 10:30 PM. Click below to view the flyer:

BANGKOK, Dec 21 (TNA) Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Thursday welcomed the drastic moves launched earlier this week by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula to protect Thailand's currency from foreign speculation. Speaking to journalists before leaving for Chiang Mai province, Gen. Surayud dismissed criticism that M.R. Pridiyathorn, also deputy prime minister, inappropriately intervened in operations of the central bank. On the contrary, the prime minister defended both the BoT and the finance minister, saying that speculation on the Thai baht was in fact a threat to the Thai economy as this could be clearly seen that the Thai stock market rebounded Wednesday after the BoT ruling on currency controls on foreign investors was relaxed. The market value of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) lost over Bt800 billion in value on Tuesday, one day after the central bank imposed its stringent measure to control currency transactions, regained Bt550 billion in value yesterday as the SET composite index rebounded 69.41 points to close at 691.55 points. Wednesday's sharp rebound of the stock market came after M.R. Pridiyathorn on Tuesday night reversed his position and waived stock investments as well as foreign direct investment from the new reserve rules on foreign inflows. "They're both positive," the prime minister said, "and (there are) negative consequences in every action. Both senior officials of BoT and M.R. Pridiyathorn moved in the right direction to correct the mistake." When asked whether the overnight change in the rule could erode foreign investor confidence, he said the government's policy was straightforward and that was to prevent the baht from being too strong, as it could impact the country's exports. (TNA)-E111

Meanwhile, the weather here in Pattaya has been magnificent over the past several days. Not a cloud in the sky, cooler temperatures, a light breeze, and low humidty. Let's hope the weather gets a little better in London. Still, while delays are no fun, they're better than cancellations.

My spies, sources, and contacts tell me you are correct.

Since the lifting of the restrictions that caused the weakening of the baht, I expected the baht to either hold where it was or strengthen again. However, at least as of 8:25 AM, Thailand time on Thursday morning, it is continuing to weaken. Yesterday, the closing exchange rate between the baht and the US dollar was 35.5 baht to the dollar. Here are the opening rates for Thursday, December 21: US dollar: 35.90 Euro: 47.205 British pound: 70.455 Australian dollar: 28.025 Canadian dollar: 31.105

The PATTAYA CITY NEWS version of this story, with photos, appears at: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_20_12_49_2.htm

I'll put it this way: "At my age I'm envious of a stiff wind." - Rodney Dangerfield