Gaybutton

Then don't read it.

I have not yet made the trip. How many days would you recommend? Can you also recommend an itinerary?

I don't disagree about that at all, but bitching about the problems, frustrations, and shortcomings is fun, at least for me . . . . But one thing has been true and remains true: I can't think of anywhere else on the entire planet I'd rather be than right here in Pattaya.

It never fails. Every year there are torn up road problems just when high season is about to begin. If you have a car and want to drive from Sukhumvit Highway to Second Road via Pattaya Tai, forget it. You can do it, but you could get out and crawl quicker than you'll make it in a car. That's due to the torn up road referred to in the story at the beginning of this thread. If you drive, the only practical way to do it is to detour around on Third Road, from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) or via Soi Korpai, Of course, Soi Korpai is much too narrow and it too is full of potholes. Topmanb is right. It certainly isn't limited to Pattaya Tai road. There are plenty of other places available to experience the joys of being stuck in traffic, dealing with torn up roads, trying to avoid potholes, etc, while also dealing with motorcycles going the wrong way and coming from out of nowhere to cut you off, cars trying to cheat their way through by creating their own bypass lanes, tour buses trying to make an impossible turn into a narrow soi, cars double and triple parked, baht buses picking up and dropping off passengers, and plenty more to add to the festivities. Often, you really don't have to worry about the potholes. That's because the traffic is so jammed and backed up that you can only move at a snail's pace to begin with. Here's one for the "I don't get it" list. Remember the red, green, and yellow line city buses (or whatever the colors were)? Anyone seen any of them lately? What happened to them? They seem to have disappeared. If they're still around, I never see them anymore. Another item on my "I don't get it" list is the fact that streets in desperate need of repair, and have been that way for years, are completely ignored while streets that were no problem at all are constantly torn up, repaved, torn up, repaved, and so on ad infinitum. There are several instances of streets on which repairs were started, but never finished. I know of one street that was in the process of being repaved, but the work simply stopped. It's been sitting there unfinished and it has now been five years. If you happen to be on that street and are unaware that the street suddenly just ends, then you're liable to wind up in a ditch. Several cars have done just that. There are so many potholes that sometimes I think Pattaya intends to sponsor a craters of the moon exhibition. Sometimes the potholes are repaired, but that's only once in a month of Sundays. Even then, the work is almost always so shoddy that the first hard rain washes away the repairs. Not only do we end up with the same potholes, but we get even more to go with the old ones. Of course, the most serious potholes remain either unmarked or the warning markers look as if a kindergarten class made them. They are virtually useless. Other than that, driving around Pattaya is a breeze.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: Story and photos: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_10_11_49_3.htm _____ Two Italians Arrested and Accused of Sex with Minors The Tourist Police work constantly on cases of pedophilia and we now report on one such case now which occurred in the early hours of Friday Morning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wootishart along with Police Captain Siam and a team of undercover officers conducted an operation in Soi Nokow in Central Pattaya to arrest two Italian Nationals accused of conducting sexual acts with girls aged under 15 years. The arrested men are Mr. Magini Massino aged 32 and Mr. Buoguerricri Tullio aged 57. They were detained after a complaint was received from an anonymous source who claimed that the two men who stayed in the same apartment would often be seen with young girls. The two suspects were taken back to the Tourist Police Station where Mr. Tullio confessed to befriending a 14 year old girl who studies in Sattahip. The girl, who cannot be named, told Police that she would often sleep with foreign men for the money to assist her with financing her studies. She slept with both Italian men on two separate occasions. The case will now be transferred to Pattaya Police Station and the Italian Embassy is also involved in the case which will now be heard in court.

I'm still waiting for the answer to my question. Where are these percentages coming from? What is the source?

Someone else will have to make a recommendation for the type of gay massage you seek, but for a legitimate massage, not gay, try Marble House. I've been there several times and it's the best legitimate massage I've found in all of Thailand and several of the masseurs are mature to elderly. The following is from an article I have on hand, but now I have no idea where I got it from: _____ This establishment owes its popularity, especially with tourists, to the professionalism of its masseurs. They do the massaging in a very soothing atmosphere and as a result customers keep coming back. It offers the following services: Traditional Thai Massage THB330 for two hours; Oil Massage THB1,000 for two hours; Foot Massage Reflexology THB280 per hour; and Pedicure and Manicure THB200. Branches: 3rd floor, Ruamchit Plaza, near Soi 15: Tel: +66 02 651 0905 (10am-11.30pm) Sukhumvit Soi 13, Near Ambassador Hotel, Tel: +66 02 254 4616 (9am-midnite). 410/6 Siam Square Soi 6, Beside Novotel Hotel, Pathumwan: Tel: +66 2 658 4124 (9 am-12.30 am)

'60 Minutes' Reporter Ed Bradley Dies By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer Ed Bradley, the award-winning television journalist who broke racial barriers at CBS News and created a distinctive, powerful body of work during his 26 years on "60 Minutes," died Thursday. He was 65. Bradley died of leukemia at Mount Sinai hospital, CBS News announced. With his signature earring, Bradley was "considered intelligent, smooth, cool, a great reporter, beloved and respected by all his colleagues here at CBS News," Katie Couric said in a special report. "He certainly was a reporter's reporter," fellow "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace told CBS News Radio. Bradley's consummate skills were recognized with numerous awards, including 19 Emmys, the latest for a segment on the reopening of the 50-year-old racial murder case of Emmett Till. Three of his Emmys came in 2003: for lifetime achievement; a 2002 "60 Minutes" report on brain cancer patients; and a "60 Minutes II" report about sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. He also won a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists. "He was a great journalist who did the most serious work without ever seeming to take himself seriously," Barbara Walters said in a statement. Bradley grew up in a tough section of Philadelphia, where he once recalled that his parents worked 20-hour days at two jobs apiece. "I was told, `You can be anything you want, kid,'" he once told an interviewer. "When you hear that often enough, you believe it." After graduating from Cheyney State, a historically black college, he launched his career as a DJ and news reporter for a Philadelphia radio station in 1963, moving to New York's WCBS radio four years later. He joined CBS News as a stringer in the Paris bureau in 1971, transferring a year later to the Saigon bureau during the Vietnam War; he was wounded while on assignment in Cambodia. After Southeast Asia, Bradley returned to the United States and covered Jimmy Carter's successful campaign for the White House. He followed Carter to Washington, in 1976 becoming CBS' first black White House correspondent

BANGKOK, Nov 9 (TNA) Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted Thursday to lift the ban on political assembly imposed by the coup makers in September. It means that political parties can begin to function again and that gatherings of citizens are permitted. Agreeing with the prime minister and Cabinet, which recommended the action to them, the Assembly move paves the way for full political participation and eventual decision-making on the part of the Thai public. The lawmakers on Thursday heard three readings of the ban to comply with statutory requirements. In related action, Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtat said that martial law--imposed throughout the kingdom following the coup--will probably be revoked prior to interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's planned trip to Vietnam next week. "It (martial law) is likely to be lifted before the premier travels to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hanoi November 18-19 in order not to create uneasy feeling among other countries," the minister affirmed. Gen. Boonrawd said that Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and Premier Surayud had discussed the issue and agreed that the military committee needed a few more days to decide, and that it is expected that martial law will be revoked very soon. The move to lift martial law is an apparent response to mounting pressures from both domestic and international human rights groups on the coup makers'-council and the interim government it installed. Both bodies have been reluctant to revoke the law, citing remaining "political undercurrents" (lingering anti-government sentiment against the coup) as the main reason for maintaining it. (TNA)-E009

You can always have some from my private stock: Maddog 20-20, Ripple, and Boone's Farm Apple Wine. I know my wines.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Crisis Meeting as Ongoing South Pattaya Road Construction Work Irritates City Hall Officials A crisis meeting now from Pattaya City Hall, chaired by Khun Bunleur, a City Councilor who summoned officials from the East Water Company who are responsible for ongoing construction work taking place along the South Pattaya Road to install new water drainage pipes along the stretch of the road from the Sukumvit Road intersection, down to Walking Street. The budget allocated for this scheme was 261 Million Baht which was provided by City Hall. A problem, which we have highlighted before on this program relates to the non-completion of the work which has left dangerous potholes in the road and un-even surfaces causing hazards for motorbikes and cars. City Hall are far from happy with the work undertaken along the road and want the project to be completed as soon as possible, which must include road re-surfacing work. The company responsible for the work claims that the work is 85% completed but with works still ongoing along the Western stretch of the road; this figure was deemed as inaccurate. Financial penalties will now apply if the work is not completed to a revised schedule.

It is difficult to address your most recent questions. I think the main question you have to think about is whether you want a relationship at all and, if you do, is this the right person with whom to establish one. Because none of us know you or know your boyfriend, it is also difficult to advise you whether to compromise. I can tell you, if it were me, I would be thinking about why I would even consider compromising. If there is a legitimate, verifiable reason, a reason with which you truly agree, then that is what you have to think about. The problem is that you have already told him what you are willing to do for him. If you give in to additional pleas for money I can virtually guarantee that it will never stop. You have been writing about the things you are trying to do for him. What is he doing for you? Is he doing anything to earn the help you want to provide? One more thing to consider. I wrote that my "gut feeling" tells me that this is a relationship that won't last and will eventually end. What does your own "gut feeling" tell you? If you think it won't last, then the sooner you get out of it, the better. If you really do feel that your boyfriend is the right person for you, then I would advise the same thing I already said . . . "Trust, but verify."

Yes, indeed there are. I read all three of them. I have a question: "as a non gay and 90% are, this is from not at all gay 0 to 50% then you have from 50% to 90% who take to it as though they are gay or just curious and enjoy sex as sex, then from 1 to 49% in strength of gayness, but still prefer a woman to a man, if they have a choice, then you have 10% who only want a man same as all over the world." The question is where are these percentages coming from? What is the source?

I can't provide an answer about what he'll be paid, but I can tell you he must obtain a work permit in order to be able to work in Thailand at all, even if he receives no salary. He'll have to obtain that through his local Immigration Police office. His potential employer or a Thai attorney should be able to help him fill out the paperwork and obtain the permit. He will have to enter Thailand on a non-immigrant visa in order to be eligible for a work permit. He will not be able to obtain it on a tourist visa. He will also have to open a Thai bank account if he has not already done so. The minimum deposit with most Thai banks in order to open an account is 500 baht. Whatever he does, make sure he does not attempt to work without first obtaining the work permit.

Are all of you through yet? Let me know when you are. That's when I'll post what I am planning to say. I'll bet you can't wait . . . .

There is no standard answer other than to say that the average Thai boy will not be pleased to know that you're not about to start taking care of his family problems for him. Unless you are willing to start taking responsibility for both his life and the family's lives too, then you have no alternative other than to say no, and mean it. I would make him understand that you are willing to listen if he wants to talk about his family problems, and even make suggestions, but it's their problem, not yours, and you simply are not going to be personally or financially involved. They'll have to take care of their own problems as best as they can. It also depends on you, what you wish to do, and your own financial standing. If you are quite wealthy and parting with enough money to help the family is not a problem in any way, that's one thing. I know several "farang" who have helped a boy's family to the point of even building new homes for them and they have no regrets about it. They're happy they did it. I also know several "farang" who spent a lot of money to help the family, but the pleas for money did not stop. There was almost no gratitude and the relationship between the "farang" and the boy eventually came to an end anyway. You have said that this is a fairly new relationship. You hardly know him yet. You said you're going to help him with his school expenses, which is something for which he ought to be very grateful, but already that is not enough. At first, after everything you revealed about what's going on with him, it seemed as if you might be one of the lucky ones. Now I'm not so sure. As far as you know he has been honest with you, but that alone is not going to work if he is also going to try to get you to take care of his family problems for him. In that chat he did not actually ask you to pay to take care of whatever the problems are, but starting at number 13 he came close. It is obvious that he is hoping you will offer to help and he will probably keep trying. So far you are doing exactly what I would recommend, basically telling him you are sorry for his family problems, but that is not your concern and you really don't want to hear about it, especially at this point in your relationship. You are young, well educated, and apparently financially well off. Especially at your age you should be out there having a wonderful time. If you want to be involved in a relationship at this point in your life then I think you should be involved with someone who is bringing joy to your life, not a set of problems. If this person takes the hint and stops bringing up his family problems, and if he is also bringing that joy to your life, then you have to decide whether you want to continue with him or not. If you do continue with him, I would advise doing things very slowly, but be ready to end the relationship if he persists with the family problems and the joy stops. I think the bottom line is this: He has raised some 'red flags.' Are they enough 'red flags' to cause you to be unhappy with the relationship now? Do you feel uneasy with him now as a result of that chat? If the answer is yes, then I would say give him what you already promised to give him and then end it with him. I have a "gut feeling" that this relationship is eventually going to end. If you made any mistakes I think it was making the offer of financial help to go to school far too soon. The problem is usually what I've said before . . . that no matter what you do and no matter how much money you give, it's never enough. Remember, you're there to be his boyfriend, not his family's benefactor.

That is a very good point and I agree with you. I think part of it is that people convince themselves that a relationship with a bar boy automatically means a relationship with someone interested only in money, not the person, and it will always be that way. After all, we're constantly talking about how much to tip bar boys, about how they're working for a living, how some are in cahoots with mama-sans involved in scams, how there will always be pleas for money, etc. It almost always has something to do with money. That causes people to become prejudiced and frightened that involvement with a bar boy is bound to produce negative consequences. Then we hear all about how bar boys are nothing but prostitutes, as if that is necessarily a negative thing and also the only thing to even think about when taking a bar boy "off." You're the customer. He's the service. And he's perfectly willing to go "off" with a complete stranger to be paid for sex. Just like anything else, many times that is true and many times it isn't. People tend to generalize and part of that generalization is too often looking down on bar boys. Some bar boys are the nicest, most honest people you'll ever meet. Some are the scum of the earth. The problem is the perception that it is most likely a bar boy will turn out to be more of the scum type than the good person type. Because of that people looking for a relationship often try to find people other than bar boys. I suppose they feel that the odds of finding someone actually interested in a genuine relationship, rather than a money relationship, are much greater if the person they find isn't a bar boy and never was. "Farang" also tend to think that the only reason a young, good looking Thai boy would have in order to be interested in a relationship with someone two to three times his own age, from a foreign country, is nothing other than money. I believe money is definitely a part of it, especially at the outset, but whether it will stay that way depends on the individual. The irony is that a vast number of bar boys became bar boys in the first place because they are looking for a relationship with a "farang." Where are they most likely to find gay "farang"? In the bars.

That is quite a story, Aunty. I don't know why you did this for him - you didn't say - but it's a very commendable thing that you did. I'm glad you had the fortitude to withstand the constant pleas for even more money. You made a deal and insisted on sticking to it, and that's really the only way. Your story reinforces a few important points. One is, the family problems are not, and should not be, your problem. The family managed to survive before a "farang" was in the picture and my feeling is, as John Huston said to Humphrey Bogart in Treasure of the Sierra Madre, " From now on you'll have to make your way through life without my assistance." Another point is that no matter how much you give, it's never enough. My opinion is if a boy wants your money, especially if he is asking for more than you offered, then he has to do something to earn it. Going to bed with you once in a while ain't it . . . In Aunty's case, there was no sexual relationship in the first place. You said, "because at heart, I'm a cold cold witch." I don't believe that. This boy owes you a debt of gratitude that he probably will never fully comprehend.

Well, gay grampa, aren't you going to let us know if you were among the winners? I hope so. If you won, what was the prize you got?

I appreciate that, Pete. Maybe I have a sense of humor after all. I laughed once in 1972.

I fully agree with both pete1969 and YardenUK. YardenUK is one of the lucky ones and he is not alone in that. I have three friends who have absolutely fantastic boyfriends, all three of whom I would trust completely. I hope it works out that way between you and your boyfriend. Let us know how it all plays out. Best of luck to you.

Central Bank

It seems to me, after reading your post, noy9000, that you are well aware of the possibilities and you are not being naive. You've checked up on him to the best of your ability and found that at least most of what he is telling you has been true. Apparently you still don't know whether the social security thing is true or not, but so far the rest seems good. Based on that, my free advice would be to follow your plan, but watch very carefully. The fact that you speak Thai, but he does not know you speak Thai, is also good. As long as you are in a position to be able to verify what he tells you, then I see no harm in helping him. One of the few things Ronald Reagan ever said that I like was, "Trust, but verify." That's good advice and I think you intend to do just that.

Documented proof . . . all sworn to and notarized, of course. Some day I'd like you to show me the documented proof that I know, or even care, who some of the people who post here really are. Ok, this has all been the utmost of fascinating. We now know where where we each stand and so does the rest of the world, just as if it was actually something important. If it is to you, so be it. I've had enough of it. If you want to continue this discussion you'll have to do it alone.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Surayud Meets Foreign Press Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said the "people's right to know" had suffered under the previous administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, because of his government's "carrot and stick" approach to media management. "Report positively and you will be rewarded; report negatively and suffer the consequences," said Surayud at a dinner hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand last night. Surayud said that over the past five years, Thais had "suffered from a deformed media environment". "Broadcast media were muzzled, news coverage was state-directed. I believe that is called propaganda," he said. Regarding the September 19 coup, Surayud said the Council for National Security would issue a "white paper" explaining why it had to oust the Thaksin regime. While falling short of justifying the September 19 coup, Surayud said he never would have accepted the premiership had he not been absolutely sure the motives for the "military intervention in the governance of this country were entirely honourable and in the public interest and that their actions were taken only with the greatest reluctance". "First, what Thailand has experienced over the last five years may have had the form of democracy but certainly not the content," said Surayud. "It was the camouflage of electoral politics subverting the true democratic principles of the rule of law, justice for all, honesty and transparency in government and respect for human rights. This subversion of democratic principles was not the mandate given to the government by the people; rather it was a mandate unilaterally shaped by a political party that pulled together unprecedented political and financial power, power so great that all the checks and balances so carefully built into the 1997 Constitution were neutralised," he said. Besides the need for a freer media and a rationale behind the coup, Surayud said successful political reform remained the government's top priority. "By successful political reform, I mean that in one year's time we will have a new constitution, ratified by the people in a national referendum, which will form the basis for a more just, more egalitarian and more democratic society," he said. He said the government intended to stimulate a broad, inclusive national debate focusing on the "choices about what sort of society we wish to live in and what sort of society we wish our children to inherit". He said the government planned to form a Political Development Council to stimulate this national debate and accelerate the pace of political reform. "Let me emphasise at this time that I am not talking about government-directed political reform. This interim government does not have the moral authority to impose its ideas concerning political reform on our citizens. It will be their choices, hopefully made from a more informed view point," he said. Surayud said the second major challenge was a reduction in social and political tension within all sectors of the society. He pointed to the three Malay-speaking southernmost provinces, where "violent death has become a daily tragedy". Surayud said his "unreserved apology" to the residents of the deep South reflected his notion that "every citizen of Thailand must share the burden of this situation". Besides dropping all charges against the 92 Tak Bai protesters and reinstating the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre to help with national reconciliation, the government plans to use the recommendations from the National Reconciliation Commission as basic guidelines for government policy towards the restive region. On the issue of inequality, in spite of 40 years of rapid economic development, Thailand today still has far too many poor people who have not benefited from this economic development to the extent they should have. "This great divide between the rich and the poor is also a divide in terms of opportunity. In a fair, just and democratic society, each citizen should have equal opportunities for education, health, a productive working life and a graceful retirement. This is not the situation today." Surayud said the government planned to undertake far-reaching and drastic reforms in the administration of justice, in the police and in the permanent strengthening of anti-corruption agencies. "I understand that between such good intentions and their effective implementation, many politicians' promises have been lost. But I am not a politician, and I am not bound by special interests. Moreover, I have the authority and the power that comes with being an appointed prime minister to act quickly and decisively," Surayud said. He said Thailand would continue to be an open-market economy and that his notion of growth embraced not only competitiveness, but also sustainable development, social justice and contentment. "Growth must come with good governance in relation to how the government operates and how business is conducted. The way rules and regulations governing commercial and investment practices are implemented will be improved through greater transparency and hence predictability. We will do away with double standards," he said. Corruption was one of the central justifications for the ousting of the Thaksin regime. Surayud admitted during the question-and-answer session that he once spoke to Thaksin on the telephone after the coup and said the ousted premier "was concerned about his belongings and his family". When asked if he would remain premier even after the 12-month deadline he had given himself, Surayud replied, "I hope I won't be around." ______________________________ Full text of speech: _____ Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Members and Guests of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, One measure of a functioning democracy is a free and informed media environment. For the last five years the Thai people suffered from an increasingly deformed media environment. Broadcast media were muzzled, news coverage was state-directed. I believe that is called propaganda. As for the print media, although they were never completely silenced, they were certainly victims of the "carrot and stick" approach to media management. Report positively and you will be rewarded, report negatively and suffer the consequences. The victim, of course, was the truth, and the people's right to know. This Club and some of your members were also on the receiving end of that stick. So, the FCCT is an organisation after my own heart and I am very pleased to talk with you this evening. I should also add that I think it is to Thailand's credit that we are host to the largest foreign press club in Southeast Asia and that it is to our great advantage to have so many foreign correspondents based here, acting as the world's informed window into Thailand. We may not always agree with how you report what you see but any disagreement this Interim Government might have will be addressed by transparent, rational debate, not emotion, and certainly not the stick. This evening I intend to address the four major challenges facing the Interim Government over the next 12 months, namely, successful political reform, the restoration of national unity, addressing income inequality and reestablishing the rule of law. By any measure this is a daunting agenda, especially considering the limited time available, but we have one advantage, which some of you might contest, and that is we are an appointed government, not an elected one. In my own view, history will judge the validity of the military intervention on 19 September by how successful this Interim Government is in addressing these four major challenges. But before I address these challenges in more detail, I would like to voice my disagreement with some foreign correspondents' reporting of the military intervention on 19 September. As you are aware, the Council for Democratic Reform, now the Council for National Security, will shortly be issuing a White Paper, their report to the Thai people explaining why they felt compelled to act as they did. So I do not intend to attempt to justify their actions, rather just to give you my own personal view. Firstly, what Thailand experienced over the last five years may have had the form of democracy, but certainly not the content. It was the camouflage of electoral politics subverting the true democratic principles of the rule of law, justice for all, honesty and transparency in government, and respect for human rights. This subversion of democratic principles was not the mandate given to the government by the people; rather, it was a mandate unilaterally shaped by a political party that pulled together unprecedented political and financial power, power so great that all the checks and balances so carefully built into the 1997 Constitution were neutralised. So I regard this one year transition period as a breathing space for Thailand's continuing political democratic development, a time for adjustment, a time for healing disunity and conflict, a time to strengthen the democratic process, and, most importantly, a time to educate and inform the people about the choices we face as a nation, so that they can make these choices from a more informed basis. Secondly, I wish to tell you that I would not have accepted the heavy burden of becoming Thailand's Prime Minister during this transitionary period unless I was absolutely sure that the motives for the Council for Democratic Reform's military intervention in the governance of this country were entirely honourable and in the public interest, and that their actions were taken only with the greatest reluctance. I am sure. Thirdly, I think it's fair to add that the majority of Thai citizens are in general agreement with the reasons given for the military intervention, at least as reported by public opinion polls, and that they trust their appointed government and the Council for National Security to honour the timeline commitments that have been made. So much for my gentle disagreement with those foreign correspondents who I believe have misread the events of the last six weeks. Turning now to the four major tasks ahead: successful political reform, restoring national unity, reducing income inequality and reestablishing the rule of law. It will be obvious to all of you that these four tasks are all closely interrelated and that they are all structural in nature. Driven by the expectations of the Thai people, successful political reform is our top priority. By successful political reform I mean that in one year's time we will have a new Constitution, ratified by the people in a national referendum, which will form the basis for a more just, more egalitarian and more democratic society. To arrive at this goal, in addition to the constitutional drafting process specified in the Interim Constitution, this Government intends to stimulate a broad, inclusive national debate about the choices 64 million Thai citizens face. These are the basic choices every society has to make, choices about what sort of society we wish to live in and what sort of society we wish our children to inherit. The best choices can only be made by an informed citizenship. This means not only initiating and stimulating this national debate but also supplying the appropriate facts and information to inform this debate. It also means including all voices in this debate. Toward this goal, the 1997 Constitution, also known as "the people's constitution", whatever its flaws, will prove most instructive. In addition, we will establish a Political Development Council to stimulate this national debate and accelerate the pace of political reform and utilise our national communications resources for political education. Let me emphasise at this time that I am not talking about government-directed political reform. This Interim Government does not have the moral authority to impose its ideas concerning political reform on our citizens. It will be their choices, hopefully made from a more informed view point. The second, closely related major challenge for this Interim Government, is the restoration of national unity. By this I mean a reduction in social and political tensions, the inclusion of all segments of society, especially the poorest and most disadvantaged, both in the political arena and in our drive toward greater national prosperity, a rejection of a growing culture of violence in our society and, perhaps surprisingly, a celebration and tolerance of our diversity as a large nation. Nowhere is the need for national unity and understanding more critical than in our three southernmost provinces where violent death has become a daily tragedy. Every citizen of Thailand must share the burden of this situation which is why, during my visit there last week to meet with the local people, religious leaders and officials, I started the healing process by expressing an unreserved apology and by admitting that the Government cannot deny its responsibilities for previous state actions. The following day, the Attorney-General's Office announced that it had agreed to drop all charges against the 92 Tak Bai protestors, to help boost the reconciliation process. Another concrete step already undertaken is the reinstatement of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre to help sensitise local officials and facilitate coordinated responses to local needs. But apart from these initial actions, based upon the belief that the vast majority of Thai citizens in the three Deep South provinces wish to live in peace and harmony, the Interim Government's approach will be as follows: -- To establish a constructive dialogue with all concerned parties. -- To utilise the report of the National Reconciliation Commission as the basic guidelines for our actions. -- To address the grievances of the people with fairness and justice. -- To reestablish warm, cordial relations with neighbouring countries which may have some positive influence in this matter. With regard to this last point, during my recent visit to Malaysia, I explained to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi our new strategy. He expressed understanding and offered his sincere cooperation. In my recent meetings with the Presidents of Indonesia and the Philippines I also explained our new strategy and discussed how we could usefully learn from each other's experiences in addressing conflict situations. Please be assured that I am under no illusions as to the difficulty of this particular challenge. Decades of neglect and injustice followed, most recently, by five years of politically motivated, ill-conceived meddling and strong-arm tactics cannot be erased overnight. But I firmly believe that with understanding, compassion and right actions, justice, peace and harmony can be achieved. The third great challenge this Interim Government faces is to address the issue of income inequality. In spite of 40 years of rapid economic development, which by many measures has been among the fastest in the world, Thailand today still has far too many poor people who have not benefited from this economic development to the extent that they should have. This great divide between the rich and the poor is also a divide in terms of opportunity. In a fair, just and democratic society each citizen should have equal opportunities for education, health, a productive working life and a graceful retirement. This is not the situation today. So, in the coming months you can expect this Government to actively pursue a range of pro-poor, anti-poverty policies designed to correct over time this cancerous income inequality. Some policies from the previous government will be continued, if they are proved to be effective, as long as they can be made transparent and sustainable, while other new policies will be introduced. Finally, the fourth great challenge we face is restoring the rule of law. Over the last five years, there has been a rapid deterioration in the rule of law. Lawlessness protects the corrupt and hurts the poor. Without the rule of law nothing else matters. Until every citizen stands equal in the eyes of the law, and is treated equally, there can be no real justice for all, no end to the corruption which has become a national disease. Thus, restoring the rule of law is fundamental to our overall goal of becoming a just, democratic and compassionate society. To address this most serious of challenges, the Interim Government intends to undertake far-reaching and drastic reforms in the administration of justice, in the police and in the permanent strengthening of our anti-corruption agencies. I understand that between such good intentions and their effective implementation many politicians' promises have been lost. But I am not a politician and I am not bound by special interests. Moreover, I have the authority and the power that comes with being an appointed Prime Minister to act quickly and decisively. Distinguished Guests and Friends, I have briefly outlined the four major structural challenges this Interim Government has accepted as its top priorities. Action in each of these areas is long overdue. To make progress toward each of these goals, the Council of Ministers has agreed that everything we do will be guided by four overarching principles, namely, transparency, justice, the economical and sustainable use of resources, and efficiency. But I can hear you thinking, "What about the ordinary business of government? What about energy policy? What about price controls? What about the Mega Projects?" So, I would like to take this opportunity to reassure those of you who have any doubts about the orientation of this Administration's economic policy. Thailand is and will continue to be an open market economy. The Kingdom will continue to enhance trade and investment partnerships as we move and interact with the flow of regional and global economic integration. There is no sense to the interpretation which suggests that Thailand would disengage. Such a policy simply does not serve our interests. Thus economic growth will be pursued, based on our strong fundamentals. However, our progress will not be measured simply in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality. The meaning of growth should be broader, embracing not only competitiveness but also sustainable development, social justice and contentment. Growth must come with good governance in relation to how the government operates and how business is conducted. The way rules and regulations governing commercial and investment practices are implemented will be improved through greater transparency, and hence predictability. We will do away with double standards. I would also like to see greater balance given to the social and ethical side of our economic development. That is why I emphasise the importance of the people's sense of contentment and the application of His Majesty the King's philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy" as underlying the thinking of this administration. "Sufficiency Economy" is not new, and has been implemented in various aspects by previous governments. We will now ensure that it is integrated within the overall framework of policy, with the essential element of balance as it relates to how Thais conduct their daily lives. So, economically, we will not turn inward. Neither will we do so when it comes to foreign policy. The current domestic imperative will not make us shy away from our commitments as a responsible member of the international community. We have an open economy and society and will maintain our progressive outlook. I therefore hope that our friends will maintain their confidence in us and in the resilience of our country. We intend to be proactive in bilateral and multilateral frameworks, promoting partnership with neighbouring countries and our friends in the region and beyond. We will work with our colleagues to strengthen ASEAN, as our region is moving towards the establishment of an ASEAN Community, and looking beyond to East Asian integration. This I stressed to my ASEAN colleagues when I attended the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit last week. We will also continue to play a constructive role in the framework of the United Nations and other multilateral fora, and to contribute to the promotion of shared ideals. Distinguished Guests, The average age of the Council of Ministers not withstanding, Thailand's Interim Government is in a hurry. Since the military intervention on 19 September, everything has been done in accordance with the timeline for political transition announced by the Council for Democratic Reform. We have an Interim Constitution, a new Prime Minister, a new Cabinet and a new, 242-member National Legislative Assembly which convened its inaugural session on the 20th of October. Also, last Friday I presented the Government's policy statement. In the meantime, I have made day trips to six ASEAN neighbours to reassure, and in some cases, restore friendly relations, attended the ASEAN-China Summit and thought deeply about how to launch a reconciliation campaign in the deep South. I know that there are many good friends of Thailand in the audience this evening and I invite you to work with us as we navigate this difficult transition. I do not expect to be able to complete all the strategic adjustments I have outlined this evening in the time available, but with unprecedented participation from the Thai people I do believe firm foundations will be established upon which we will be able to build a more just, democratic and compassionate society. Thank you very much for your kind attention.