Gaybutton

CRES has issued the latest ultimatum, that the Red-Shirts must disperse by 3:00pm today. At the moment it is about 1:40pm. CRES also said that women and children should leave and transportation will be provided for anyone who wants to go home. However, many of the women with children are refusing to leave, convinced their children will be safe. There are reports that Red-Shirts in other provinces, especially the north and northeast provinces, are threatening to retaliate is the Bangkok demonstrations are dispersed.

There could be any number of reasons. You never know. Sometimes the traffic backs up like that for no apparent reason. I would guess it's due to a combination of factors. The weather is bad today - rain and threatening rain. Often that alone results in backups. There could be an accident or possibly Red-Shirt problems. It could be that a lot of people from Bangkok want to get out of Bangkok for the time being and there are plenty of friends, relatives, and hotels in Pattaya. Again, Pattaya is almost entirely unaffected so far from the protests. There are gatherings at City Hall and directly across the street at the Pattaya Nua (North Road) Tesco-Lotus. There were some reports of Red-Shirt gatherings at Soi Day-Night, but I was right there last night and saw nothing. In other words, everything is normal in Pattaya and no problems have occurred here.

Jim Lumsden recommends JIM (no relation, of course). JIM International

Seh Daeng was not expected to survive, but now that he has been pronounced dead and now that the Red-Shirts have been informed, it remains to be seen what, if any, kind of retaliation will follow. __________ Seh Daeng Pronounced Dead at 9:20 am Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol, the controversial Army specialist, was pronounced dead at 9:20 am. The director of the Vajira Hospital, Chaiwan Charoenchokthawwee, announced his death at a press conference. Seh Daeng pronounced dead at 9:20 am

Maybe I missed something. All I see is that you disagree with me and that you wouldn't want your Thai boyfriend to sleep with a farang. Is that all you wanted to express?

As of Monday morning, May 17, all schools and government offices in Bangkok will be closed for at least two days. The Red-Shirt leaders are asking to negotiate, but the government is refusing. Thaksin is asking for UN intervention. Abhisit is saying this crisis is an internal affair, not within the purview of legitimate UN intervention. So far there has been no response from the UN. Meanwhile, the fighting in Bangkok continues, along with sporadic clashes in some of the provinces. ____________________ Bangkok Burning - Red shirts ask for talks to 'put end to deaths' - Govt crackdown to carry on, curfew plan on hold Published: 17/05/2010 Plans to announce a curfew have been put on hold, but all schools and government offices in Bangkok will be closed Monday as chaos continues to wrack the capital. The city was thrown into confusion on Sunday when the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation said it would impose a curfew in some areas of Bangkok, only to then retract the statement a few hours later when army chief Anupong Paojinda reportedly opposed the decision. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/37424/bangkok-burning

Ok, but I don't see where your opinion is expressed. I'm still not clear on what your opinion is. What is your opinion?

He didn't answer mine either, but that's just an old chestnut . . .

What makes you think I'm trying to speak for anyone other than myself? I wrote "I believe the real reasons most get them out . . ." That means I'm expressing my own personal opinion, not facts. I'm sorry, I thought that would have been quite clear. Apparently, it wasn't.

Blacklisted By THE NATION Published on May 17, 2010 In a bid to cut suspected financial supplies to the still-defiant red shirts, the government yesterday slapped a ban on financial transactions on over 100 people and business entities associated with fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. To the government, which seems to believe that the red-shirt movement cannot function without huge financial support, the measures - announced with-out much fanfare - is supposed to be a big blow to the protesters, who already face grave logistical pressures. The financial "blacklist" includes Thaksin, his immediate family members, his relatives, many banned politicians of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, business people close to the Shinawatras and several key leaders of the red-shirt movement. Blacklisted

Another "chestnut"? Nurse (taking care of Willy Clark after his heart attack): "I have a wonderful sense of humor!" Willy Clark: "If you nurse like your sense of humor, I won't make it to Thursday." - Walter Matthau, 'The Sunshine Boys'

Oh, come on mauRICE. I've seen enough posts from you to know that you are fully capable of debating an issue without put-downs. I hope we, and whoever else may want to join in, can debate this issue without put-downs or insults. I also think you know that GT often posts with tongue-in-cheek. Of course, it's usually an ass cheek, but what the hell . . .

CRES Cancels Plan to Impose Curfew in Bangkok The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation has cancelled its plan to impose curfew in Bangkok. The CRES reasoned that security forces could be still in control of the situation so it would not impose curfew to avoid further affecting the people's life. CRES cancels plan to impose curfew in Bangkok

GaySacGuy, did you take that photo yourself? I'm asking because if you were there, did you see any kind of military or police presence, or anyone trying to put out the fire? Another question - With your experience as a firefighter, I'm curious to know what you would say is the best way to put out this kind of fire.

Yes, you should do just that - because it is perfectly obvious that you really don't get it. I'll give you due credit for an ability to twist people's words around to suit your own point of view, though. Of course I call it prostitution. I have no reason to come up with a euphemism for it. The apparent major difference between you and me is that you see prostitution as something very negative. I see it as benign. You call it an "old chestnut" when someone like me comes along and points out that the Thai way of thinking is different from the western point of view regarding prostitution. Call it what you want, but the Thai point of view really is different from the western point of view. Now, while you're busy trying to tell us all about how horrible prostitution is, I suppose you would have us believe no part of your purpose for being in Thailand, whether past or present, ever had anything to do with partaking in Thailand's sex industry. You can claim that if you wish, but that would be about as believable as Rekers hiring the Rentboy.com guy solely for the purpose of carrying his luggage. Have you been in Thailand all this time rescuing these poor exploited boys from the terrible horrors of prostitution? Do I indulge because of selfish, non-altruistic reasons? Yes. So does just about every other farang, gay or straight, who comes to Thailand and makes use of prostitutes. Are we bad people because of it? And, by the way, I can carry my own luggage . . . I also think you know as well as I do that anyone working in the bars who doesn't wish to be there can just walk out the door any time he pleases. Ok, your serve.

I just read a report that a 7-Eleven on Rama IV has been looted, but so far nothing else has been reported.

CNN is reporting that Abhisit is going to impose a curfew, although it is not yet known what the extent of the curfew will be or the times. I would guess that the curfew, if it is imposed, will cover areas of Bangkok, but it is possible that a nationwide curfew could be imposed. The English language Thai media is reporting that a curfew is being considered, but at the time of this post nothing more than that has been reported. Of course, if a curfew is imposed, we'll try to let you know the details on this thread as soon as we have the information.

US Warns Citizens Traveling to Thailand, Evacuating Staffs The United States has warned its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand and began evacuating non-essential embassy staff and families due to unrest in the country. "US citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," a statement said. "The Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok," the statement added. US warns citizens travelling to Thailand, evacuating staffs ____________________ Chulalongkorn Hospital will be Closed from Monday The Chulalongkorn Hospital announced at 11 am Sunday that its medical services will be closed from Monday until further notice. Chulalongkorn Hospital will be closed from Monday

PM Sends E-mail to UN Chief Published: 16/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had sent e-mail to secretary general of the United Nations Organisation Pan Ki-mun to explain the situation, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said on Sunday. PM sends email to UN chief

Because they, as you are doing, look at it from the western point of view. You don't really need me to tell you that the Thai point of view is a different matter, do you? While some farang may get their Thai boyfriends out of the so-called prostitution business for altruistic reasons, I believe the real reasons most get them out, if indeed most really do get them out, are because of their own hang-ups about prostitution and that once the prostitute becomes their boyfriend, they don't want other farang to touch them.

Apparently the protest is far from over, even if the military successfully re-takes the streets of Bangkok. Let's post the latest news items on this thread since the other threads are getting quite lengthy. ____________________ Battle Rages On By The Nation Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last night defended the government's protest-containment policy, arguing it was the best way to address Bangkok's security situation. The premier insisted there would be no turning back, although Natthawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, asked for an immediate cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table. Yesterday saw deadly clashes between security forces and protesters at Bon Kai, Rajprarob and nearby areas of Bangkok, resulting in 22 deaths and 172 injuries. At noon, several grenades were launched from M79s in the Din Daeng/ Rajprarob area, resulting in many injuries. This prompted the security forces to step up their action by declaring the area a "live bullets" zone. Many used-car tyres were burnt by the protesters to create fire and smoke while large water and garbage trucks were used by protesters and militants to get close to the lines set up by security forces. In his nationally-televised speech from the 11th Infantry Regiment, the premier said after the clashes between protesters and security forces the containment policy aimed to restrict the number of protesters at Rajprasong, which was estimated at around 6,000 at the latest count. Battle rages on

Unfortunately, that is the most likely aftermath. I think the outcome will be that after enough bloodshed, the Red-Shirts will be routed from Bangkok and the Abhisit government will prevail. Thaksin will continue to cause as much trouble as he can. But what will Abhisit be governing? Thanks to the Red-Shirt uprising, he'll have half this country resenting him and the government more than they did in the first place. I think for a long time to come the government will have little choice other than to run a police state or risk the whole thing starting up again. I believe that no matter what ends up happening in Bangkok, extremists will start a campaign of terrorist tactics. I don't foresee the more radical Red-Shirts just giving up the whole thing and start tolerating the Abhisit government. As far as I can tell, Thailand is split right down the middle politically. I think no matter what happens in Bangkok, it's only the beginning of many more incidents to come until the election. Even then, no matter what the outcome of the election will be, the next government will still have to contend with half a country in support and half a country opposed. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln I think Thailand is already a house divided against itself. I think whatever happens after Bangkok, it's not going to be pleasant. I just hope someone with the intelligence, ability, and charisma comes along before Thailand self destructs entirely.

I don't know. Maybe that's the best idea of all. But don't declare war on Laos or Cambodia. Declare war on the USA. Become another 'Mouse that Roared.' Maybe that wouldn't bring the country together, but as long as the country is falling apart anyhow, why not make some money? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbcbhjq_FxY

There are so many stories coming out now that keeping up with it all and posting it all here has gotten to be too much. If you are not reading the news sites yourself, in a nutshell the violence continues to escalate. There have been more injuries and deaths - on both sides. Acts of vandalism are becoming rampant. The Red-Shirts are threatening to seize government buildings. More troops are being sent to Bangkok. There have been no further reports published about Seh Daeng's condition. The Red-Shirt stalwarts are simply refusing to give in and by now they have to know their lives and freedom are at serious risk. Today a Thai court sentenced 27 Red-Shirts to 6 months in prison. The situation is expected to grow worse. ____________________ "There are causes for which I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill." - Mahatma Gandhi

This is the most difficult moment of temptation resistance I have ever experienced.