Gaybutton

It seems to me that 'maxmooney' and everyone else reading this thread now has our views and opinions and should now have enough to make their own decisions. I think 'A Rose By Any Other Name' is right that it is now more than enough from both sides of the issue. At this point all we can do is repeat ourselves or rephrase. I think all that's left to do now is to wish best of luck to 'maxmooney' and express hope that whatever decision he makes, it will be the right one.

Attention American Citizens: CIVIL AVIATION ALERT 1. This public announcement alerts Americans to the Government of the United Kingdom's August 10, 2006 announcement that it has heightened security at all U.K. airports due to the arrest of several terror suspects, who were reportedly planning to place explosives on commercial air flights. Information periodically is updated by the UK Department for Transport (www.dft.gov.uk) and the British Airport Authority (www.baa.co.uk). The U.S. Embassy in London also maintains a website at http://london.usembassy.gov/. Americans with immediate travel plans into or out of the United Kingdom should contact their respective airlines before traveling to the airport. Due to the delays and flight cancellations, U.S. officials have been cautioned to avoid transiting through U.K. airports at this time. This public announcement expires August 31, 2006. 2. The government of the United Kingdom announced on August 10, 2006 that it has heightened security at all U.K. airports due to the arrest of several terror suspects, who were reportedly planning to place explosives on commercial air flights. As a result of these arrests, the threat level in the UK has been raised to critical, reflecting the belief that an attack may be imminent. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has also raised the threat level to high for all commercial flights operating in or coming to the United States. The situation remains fluid and is being covered widely by British and international media. Information periodically is updated by the UK Department for Transport (www.dft.gov.uk) and the British Airport Authority (www.baa.co.uk). The U.S. Embassy in London also maintains a website at www.london.usembassy.gov. 3. Americans with immediate travel plans into or out of the United Kingdom should contact their respective airlines before traveling to the airport. Heightened Security in other countries may cause delays in other flights from Europe to the United States. American Citizens are advised to anticipate stringent security measures and cooperate fully with authorities. For the latest travel and safety information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor local media and the department's Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at travel.state.gov. Homeland security website also provides information at www.dhs.gov. Travelers should also check the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov. 4. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov. 5. U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 6. As the department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, go to: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/acsemaillist.htm The U.S. Embassy Consular Section is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Nearest BTS Skytrain station: Phloen Chit) American Citizen Services Unit Window Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 11 AM and 1 - 2 PM Note: The ACS unit is CLOSED on the last Friday of every month. Tel: +66-2-205-4049 Fax: +66-2-205-4103 E-mail: acsbkk@state.gov

It doesn't matter what I think it is. It only matters what the law is. That's why I am saying to consult a Thai attorney rather than drawing your own conclusions based on the fact that you see ads or haven't heard about any arrests. If foreign DJ's can work legally without a work permit, or they can get work permits, fine. But what on earth is wrong with checking first to make sure?

BANGKOK, Aug 11 (TNA) The Thai baht is likely to further strengthen and touch 37 a US dollar by the third quarter of this year due to a foreign capital inflow into the country, according to a senior economist. Usara Vilaipich of Standard Chartered Bank, said on Thursday foreign capital had continued to flow into Thailand, particularly in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the bond market. The capital inflow, if continues unabated, would probably make the local currency appreciate to 37 a US dollar by the end of September. She said the strengthening of the Thai baht would benefit importers and exporters. For instance, importers will enjoy lower costs in importing of products, particularly fuel whose prices have continued to rise. The appreciation of the Thai currency will help ease impacts of the inflation rate hike upon higher fuel prices. Local exporters will benefit from lower costs of importing raw materials and machinery, which represent up to 40 per cent of production costs, if the baht strengthens, she said. (TNA)

Nope. That's really the time the buffet is opened for serving.

Because I don't consider it to be a dead horse. But relax. I intend no further 'preaching.' I've already made my point as far as I intend to take it.

As of the moment of this post, the US dollar to baht exchange rate has slipped to 37.22. Two years ago, if you exchanged US $1000, you would have received about 45,000 baht. Today, in comparison you will receive 37,220, a difference of 7780 baht. That's a loss of nearly US $200 per thousand. Taking inflation into consideration, it's even more of a loss. This has been very much in the news lately. Here is the latest information: _________ FTI to Seek Baht Intervention to Ensure Smooth Business Operation BANGKOK, Aug 10 (TNA) The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) plans to call on the government to supervise the movement of the Thai baht to ensure that it stays steadily in a range of 38-39 a US dollar so that entrepreneurs will be able to do their businesses smoothly. FTI

Guys, I'm sorry, but I disagree with you. I think it is dead wrong to tell people that immigration laws are largely ignored. They are not and I see no validity in suggesting that they are. Thailand may play games when it comes to enforcement of certain laws, such as prostitution laws, but they play no games when it comes to immigration law. I might agree with you if it was general practice in Thailand to disregard immigration law, but I and many others here, know of too many instances in which people working without a permit were arrested and deported or at least went through some very rough times. In my opinion, suggesting that people can come to Thailand and work without a work permit, and in the process causing them to think it's common practice and something that everybody does with impunity, is misleading and can result in very serious consequences. If people are working without permits, then the only reason they are still in Thailand doing so is because they haven't been caught . . . yet. As a moderator of this message board, I think it would be totally irresponsible of me not to dispute that. I also think the immigration laws and rules about foreigners working in Thailand are indeed as black and white as I represent and it is too great a risk to try to circumvent those laws. If the guy wants to try it after we do our best to make sure he understands about the Thai laws, that's his affair, but I don't think he should be encouraged to do so.

The second Tuesday of every month is when they have it, so the next one is September 12. I'm afraid you'll have to mark your own calendars to remember. I'm lucky I can remember this morning, let alone trying to remember to post an alert about the dinner a month from now. I'll try, but I can't promise that I'll remember to post about it. By the way, dinner is served at 6:00 PM.

That's fine. You've convinced me. Now all you have to do is convince the immigration police and the Thai courts. If you really think it is worth taking the chance and not worth bothering to consult an attorney to make sure of the legality, then go for it. I'll save a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card from my Monopoly game in case you need it. Are you actually trying to tell maxmooney that he is pefectly safe and should just go ahead and do it without first making sure he is complying with Thai law? My understanding of the Thai law is that "farang" cannot work in Thailand, period, without a work permit. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But I'm not a Thai attorney and something tells me you're not either. I have no idea how many "farang" are working as DJ's or tutors. It doesn't matter how many are. If the law permits them to do so, fine. If not, then they are taking their chances. You say "I guess that they all had work permits. Yeah, right." Do you know that they don't? Do you know what kind of visas they hold? Also, you you are implying that there are a great many "farang" working as DJ's in Thailand. I've never seen any and I've been to all those places. Maxmooney said he wants to work as both a DJ and a tutor and wants to do that work for a year. If you are trying to advise him that there is no reason to consult a Thai attorney first, then what do you say to him if he follows that advice and ends up arrested? Sorry?

Before you get too excited, I don't need to burst your bubble, but I do need to point a pin at it. You are not going to be allowed to do any of this sort of work without a Thai work permit. You did not say whether you have investigated about getting a work permit, but I have a feeling you are going to have a big problem getting one. Since you did not say anything about a work permit, I'll write my response as if you do not have one and did not realize that you need to check into this. Work permits are not usually issued to "farang" unless they own a business or Thai citizens can't do the same job. There is no shortage of Thai DJ's in Thailand willing to work in the bars. The same applies to being a tutor. You'll need a work permit for that too. If you have done this sort of work in Thailand before without a work permit and did not end up arrested, then you've been lucky. I advise you to consult a competent Thai attorney before even approaching bars or anything related to this sort of work and tutoring work, even if you are willing to work on a volunteer basis. Thai law would consider that as taking a job opportunity away from a Thai citizen and you could end up arrested and deported. Thailand is very strict about allowing foreigners to work. Whatever you do, please make sure you talk with a Thai attorney first. If you don't know any, I'll be glad to put you in touch with mine. Just send me an E-mail at gaybutton@gmail.com if you want the contact information. He does respond to E-mail, but you would be much better off springing for a phone call. I would also advise, if the attorney tells you that you would indeed be eligible for the necessary work permits, to ask about what kind of visa you will need prior to your arrival in Thailand. Believe it or not, there was actually a problem after the tsunami. Many foreigners who were voluntarily trying to help were actually arrested because they did not have a work permit. Welcome to Thai logic.

Baht Moves to Strongest Level in 3 Months BANGKOK, Aug 10 (TNA) The Thai baht continued to appreciate at the opening of Thursday's morning trading session, staying at a range of 37.50-37.58 a US dollar, the strongest in three months, according to a money dealer of BankThai Public Company Limited. The dealer said the sharp appreciation of the Thai currency stemmed from the United States government

Coincidentally enough, I just returned home after shopping at Carrefour and spotted this post. The lights were working. Ok, that's one day so far . . . If gambling wasn't illegal in Thailand, I'd take bets on how long the lights will continue to work.

On the second Tuesday of every month the Pattaya Vegetarian Club hosts a vegetarian dinner at, of all places, the Caf

Today the exchange rate closed at 37.44 baht per US dollar. That is the weakest the dollar has been since the Asian money crash back in 1997. From the latest reports I have been reading, the dollar is expected to weaken further until it is down to about 37.0. Then it is expected to begin strengthening again. The reports also state that exporters are complaining that the BOT (Bank of Thailand) is allowing the baht to become too strong and they are fearful that this will seriously hurt the export business. I know more about how to set a rocket trajectory to Pluto than I know about economics. I don't have any idea how this is going to play out, but for those of you planning a trip to Thailand, you might as well expect to get a lot less baht for your dollar until this trend finally turns around . . . if it turns around.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: ________________________________________ Plans for a Major New Road in Pattaya Discussed in City Hall Meeting In conference room 404 at Pattaya City Hall, the Pattaya City Council held their monthly meeting chaired by the Council Chairman, Khun Tawich. As usual at this monthly meeting many items were discussed. We are highlighting one of the more important topics of discussion which centers on budget approval talks on a new road which will run adjacent to the train track which runs through the eastern section of the city. To construct this road, the city will have to rent land from the train company and a total of 280,500 square meters of land will be rented and it is hoped that this road will take the pressure off the main Sukumvit Road which is expected to suffer from dramatic increases in traffic over the next few years thanks to the new airport in Bangkok and continued development of industrial and residential areas in Pattaya. The final decision on budget allocations will be made next month. _________________________________________ My first reaction to this is I'm glad something will be done about the trafic congestion on Sukhumvit Highway, but it is hardly going to do much to solve the rest of the traffic problems that are now plaguing Pattaya. It's a begining, but much more needs to be done than just this. I don't know is there is anything similar to Eminent Domain in Thailand, but if there is they need to start using it before the traffic problems become so severe that once you are in the city, everything will grind to a halt. Along with the traffic congestion, parking is a major problem as well. There simply isn't enough space, even at major shopping malls, for all the cars. That's one of the reasons why you find so much double and triple parking throughout Pattaya, which causes even more traffic congestion when lanes become useless due to parked cars. It's a major problem that I don't think this parallel-to-Sukhumvit highway will resolve, but at least it's a start.

It does seem like that's a likely possibility, doesn't it? And you're right. As is so often the case in Thailand, this idea seems to be ad hoc and impromptu without anything being thoroughly thought through and without even consulting the airlines. So, I repeat . . . what else is new? It doesn't seem unusual to me to see a government snatch defeat right out of the jaws of victory. After all, that's the way we do it in the USA, isn't it? Why shouldn't it be universal? By the way, if you have been wondering how to pronounce the name of the airport, here's what the web site says: How is it pronounced: "su-wan-na-poom"

Based on the following article, I'm thinking that Don Muang Airport will be somewhat similar to the famous Chatuchak market. I hope it is. It will be a lot more pleasant shopping at wholesale prices in air conditioned comfort than at Chatuchak. At Chatuchak, unless you are there early in the day it can get mighty hot, especially when browsing through the indoor areas. Here is the article: _______ Commerce Ministry to Develop Don Muang Airport into Wholesale Market BANGKOK, Aug 8 (TNA) The Commerce Ministry is set to come up with a plan to develop a certain section of the outbound passenger building of the Don Muang International Airport into the international wholesale market. Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, said he and Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana would propose the plan with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak when he returned from a trip to the United States next week. Initially, he expected, the wholesale market would require a total area of at least 40,000 square meters. Products placed for sale in the market are various ranging from consumer goods to farm products and must be made in Thailand. He said the market would be established and operated by a joint venture set up under the state and private cooperation. The government would jointly set up the venture through the Public Warehouse Organisation. Mr. Siripol said the implementation of the plan was pending a clear policy of Dr. Somkid, who would have to propose it to the cabinet for consideration and raise it for discussion with Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited if he supported it. He said he was confident Thailand

That's a very good point, Bob, and the airport's own web site has an article published saying that just such confusion is likely. I have not been able to find anything published that provides any information at all about how transfers and luggage between the two airports is going to be handled during the transition. According to the article, it seems that chaos will reign. So, what else is new? Here is the article: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/46 Suvarnabhumi International Airport could be opened for commercial service two weeks prior to the Sept 28 launch day but only for certain domestic flights with no connections required. Caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has approved the proposal, floated by the Transport Ministry, as a way to enable the airport operator and some carriers to prepare for the official opening date. However, some airlines are questioning the merits and practicality of such a move. Executives of airlines with domestic operations say they are already struggling to relocate from Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) to Suvarnabhumi by Sept 28. The proposal for limited flights also reflected a lack of understanding about how the aviation business worked, the airline chiefs added. ''How could you define whether all passengers on flight X bound for Bangkok are not going on to other destinations with other flights?'' asked one airline executive, who asked not to be named. Arranging aircraft to arrive and depart from the new Suvarnabhumi airport while maintaining flights in and out of the existing Don Muang airport, along with support at two locations would pose major technical problems. But perhaps more problematic is how to avoid confusion among passengers and how to facilitate their flight connections if needed on the two sites that are 27 km apart, given Bangkok's notorious traffic jams in between. Most carriers, Thai and foreign, have had difficulties establishing themselves at the new airport due to the limited time given by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) to set up offices and systems there. The major airlines with domestic networks including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go, Nok Air and PB Air, have not been consulted about starting flights on Sept 15 at Suvarnabhumi. ''They (authorities) never asked us whether the idea of early opening is sound or whether we were ready for that.'' one executive said. Caretaker transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal told reporters yesterday that the new airport was ready to operate ahead of schedule, after 20 commercial flights on July 29 showed successful results. Somchai Sawasdeepon, the general manager of Suvarnabhumi airport, echoed the airport's readiness for Sept 15 flights but acknowledged airlines' concern about imminent confusion among passengers on issues such as flight connections and land transport. ''There are a lot of questions with no easy answers that need to be tackled,'' he said, noting that AoT had held a meeting on the issue yesterday afternoon. Low-cost carriers such as One-Two-Go and Nok Air may have fewer problems shifting to the new airport ahead of time than Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, which carry a lot of passengers with connecting flight needs. The international airline industry has repeatedly warned about the potential for severe negative consequences of opening Suvarnabhumi airport prematurely. They also suggested moving the opening date to the end of the year on signs that the airport is far from ready. Mr. Thaksin has been eager to launch the massive infrastructure project under his premiership ahead of the new election scheduled for Oct 15. The schedule for all international flights and the rest of the country's domestic services to shift to the new site on Sept 28 remains unchanged. Don Muang airport, which handles about 38 million passengers a year, will be officially closed on Sept 28 to all commercial flights and thereafter used for VIP journeys, chartered flights and small private aircraft. Thai Airways will conduct two international test flights to and from the new airport on Sept 1. Those flights are open only to airline employees, who were offered one-night air-hotel packages to Singapore and Hong Kong for about 5,000 baht.

Just about all of the Thai news media revealed today that Suvarnabhumi International Airport may actually open ahead of schedule and begin domestic operations as early as September 15. Here is one of the reports, from THE NATION: _____ New Airport to Take Local Flights From Sept 15 Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal yesterday fixed September 15 as the new date for Suvarnabhumi Airport to start operating. While the new deadline was for domestic flights only, the Transport Ministry was sticking to September 28 as the day for the airport to be inaugurated officially. However Thai AirAsia and Bangkok Airways would not be among the airlines ready to use the airport from September 15. "We definitely can't move operations there on September 15," a source at Bangkok Airways said. "We have a lot of work to do and we are dealing with a number of foreign travellers

Since this thread seems to be yet another one that ended up as something entirely different from the original subject, RichLB came up with a solution that would instantly end the hydra and cat fight problem. I like his idea, although I doubt that any of the boards will ever do it. Simply eliminate the display of handles on posts. The only thing that would appear in a post would be the actual content of the post, but nothing would show who posted it and nobody would be allowed to include anything in the content that would reveal who posted it. End of problem. Now, I'm going to try to bring this thread back to its original intent. In case the subject has been completely forgotten by now, it was supposed to be about the tribute to Allen and his special night. I tried the drink. I liked it, but it is a sweet drink and I'm more of the Margarita or Gin & Tonic type. It reminded me of something akin to a Rum Punch or Mai Tai. The drink recipe was not revealed, so I don't know what was actually in it, but I assure you it tasted nothing like a cheeseburger.

If there is any kind of a bright side to this, at least the Thai police were able to hunt down and capture those people. It's the ones they haven't found that worry me. I can't help but believe that for all the ones they do find, there are more yet to be found. I hope they find them in time.

I called Babylon for you. They said the next foam party will be on Halloween Night, October 31. Also, if someone has a question for Babylon, they can always be contacted through their 'contact' link on their web site at: http://www.babylonbkk.com

I have not seen any such speculation published just yet, but this only just happened. Even if the bus driver is correct in his belief that it was some teenagers that did it, somebody had to have taught them how to make a time bomb and somebody had to have supplied them with the materials to make it with. Then, whether it was those teens or not, somebody carried through with it, I am guessing that the authorities are going to put their best experts on to trying to track down whoever did this. All Thailand would need would be for people, including tourists, to be afraid to come to Bangkok. Thailand depends a great deal on tourism. Something like this has the potential to spell disaster for tourism, especially if there is a repeat performance. I hope nothing like this occurs in Pattaya, but I can visualize it happening sooner or later. Places like Walking Street, Pattayaland, and Sunee Plaza are vulnerable to attack. But, then again, just about anywhere is vulnerable to attack.

The following appears in THE NATION: ______________________________ Four Injured in Explosion on Bangkok Bus Four passengers were injured when a homemade bomb exploded on a Bangkok bus Saturday night. The time bomb detonated by a clock exploded on Bus No 95 at 10:40 am. The bus was having about 20 passengers and had left Happy Land Market heading to Bang Khen when the explosion occurred when it was in front of Bang Toey Temple near Soi Navamin 101.. Three passengers were slightly injured were discharged from the Lard Prao Hospital after treatments. The other passenger suffered cuts on the left leg and suffered back injury from the blast impact. He was discharged after treatment. The bus driver, Jittakorn Prajonghat, 32, told police that the bomb might be planted by four teenagers who got off the bus just a stop before the bomb exploded. ______________________________ This doesn't sound like some sort of a warped teenage prank to me. It is much too serious an incident for it to be just a prank. I can't even begin to imagine Thai teenagers knowing how to construct a bomb in the first place, let alone actually planting one. I hope it is an isolated incident that will not be repeated, but it certainly smacks of terrorist activity to me. There is plenty of terrorist activity in the extreme south of Thailand, but to my knowledge this is the first incident to occur in Bangkok. I hope it is also the last. At least nobody was seriously injured. They were lucky this time.